A/36/PV.16 General Assembly

The delegation of Li- beria extends heartiest congratulations to you, Mr. Presi- dent, on your election to preside over the thirty-sixth ses- sion of the Assembly. We note that you bring to your onerous responsibility not only sterling leadership qualities but also more than two decades of experience in the United Nations system. 2. Our sincere thanks and appreciation go to your il- lustrious predecessor, Mr. Riidiger von Wechmar, for the services he so ably rendered the Organization. Much was expected of him, and much was received. 3. We also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his continuing efforts in guiding the activities of the United Nations in the pursuit of international peace and security. 4. Permit us to add to the words of welcome that have been extended to Vanuatu and Belize upon their advent to membership in the Organization. We wish their people well as they embark upon the task of nation-building. We look forward to the day when all peoples and countries under alien domination can exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, fre\'ldom and independence. 5. When we appeared before the Assembly at the thirty- fifth session [13th meeting], we did so at the advent of a revolutionary process. We were privileged to give an over- view of this process and to explain its causes and effects. As we appear before you once again, we wish to under- score some of our achievements thus far. 6. It is pleasing to note that the revolution has not de- parted from its original objectives. Consistent with the commitment of the People's Redemption Council to return power to civilians in the shortest time practicable, a Con- stitutional Commission, clothed with spectal privileges A/36/PV.16 299 NEW YORK and immunities, has been mandated to draft a constitution by which Liberia can return to civilian control and demo- cratic institutions. 7. Concomitantly, the Government of Liberia, under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Samuel Kanyon Doe, is acting with all deliberate speed to effect progressive changes in the quality of life of our people and relieve the problems which made the revolution not only necessary but inevitable. Our people are motivated by a firm deter- mination to resolve the problems which beset Liberia: 90 per cent illiteracy; cultural alienation; an economy which produces what we do not consume, while we consume what it does not produce; an inadequate health delivery system; 53 per cent unemployment within the active la- bour force; and a pattern of corruption which was be- queathed to the people by the erstwhile princes of priv- ilege. 8. It may be recalled that the People's Redemption Council inherited a bankrupt treasury with an overdraft of $11 million, along with external indebtedness amounting to more than $700 million. However, with perserverance and tenacity, we have rescheduled our loans abroad, for- mulated a development plan and, with the assistance of IMF, worked out a stabilization programme to set the basis for economic recovery. 9. Commander-in-Chief Samuel Kanyon Doe and the People's Redemption Council have also engaged in the summary release from detention of former officials of Government who were ,charged with high treason and rampant corruption. By this act of magnanimity our peo- ple have been spared the trauma of protracted trials which could have invoked disturbing memories of the past and thereby detracted from the process of'national reconcilia- tion. The prisons have been rendered virtually empty. 10. We have gathered here, as we have done for 35 years, to engage in our annual review of developments in the world today: After these many years of our collective wisdom, there is still polarization of the many nations of ..ne world. Mighty nations seem adrift, and the spectre of a nightmare now looms larger than the prospects for peace. Lurking in the 'hearts and minds of many of us in this Hall are designs and schemes of war .against our neighbours. The world is today consumed by mounting problems: an arms race, food shortages, an energy prob- lem and a range of economic ills-inflation, unemploy- ment, protectionism, low levels of capital formation and unstable commodity markets. 11. In our domestic settings, many Governments have created oppressive circumstances which inhibit men from living and acting as men-circumstances 'which blind men to their goals, prevent them from taking measures to free themselves and militate against the vision and bold- ness of the human spirit. 13'~ These conditions have never been met, and many high hopes in the Charter have proved to be most disap- pointing. Instead of co-operation, we see rivalry and dis- agreement among the great Powers; instead of strict ad- herence by all Member States to the Charter; non- conformity is common; and instead of progressive steps towards global co-operation and unity, we find Member States preoccupied with parochial concerns to the exclu- sion of the collective interest. We see the United Nations, which ought to be the conscience of mankind, being re- duced to air arena for peaceful war or a warlike peace- pax bellicosa. bel/urn pacificum. Each year we all cry "Peace j peace", but tJtere is no peace. 14. If we are to succeed in attaining our common goals and aspirations, we must develop a sense of community. We must forge co-operative partnerships and work to- gether meaningfully to discuss and solve our common problems. These are the high principles to which the Government of Liberia is committed and it is within the broad context of these principles that we now turn to spe- cific issues on our agenda. 15. We welcome the designation of 1981 as the In~rna­ lional Year of Disabled Persons. We believe that the dedi- cation of a year to the disabled will contribute to public understanding of disability and emphasize the need for rehabilitation. To this end, appropriate measures are being designed in Liberia. 16. Liberia's position on decolonization is clear and un- equivocal: we reaffirm our solidarity with all colonial countries and peoples, especially the struggling people of southern Africa, who, with the blood of martyrs, are re- sisting systematic laws of exploitation, discrimination and suppression. 17. Liberia continu~s to feel that Security Council reso- lution 435 (1978) has all the attributes for ensuring the independence of Namibia under the leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization [SWAPO). We remain convinced that as long as South Africa can find solace in son.e quarte~ of the contact group it will con- tinue to reject the plan for Namibia's independence re- ferred to in that resolution, will increase its repression of the Namibian people and will engage in acts of destabil- ization and terrorism against Mozambique, Angola and other neighbouring States. It was therefore with much re- lief that we welcomed the brief but unconditional affirma- tion of the United Stares commitment to resolution 435 (1978). 18. The situation in Afghanistan and Kampuchea dem- onstrates the insecurity of small States of the international community. It also points to the impotence of the Organi- zation in the face of serious threats to the security of small nations. We totally reject and are absolutely op- posed to the presence of foreign troops in the two coun- tries ilnd we call for their immediate withdrawal to enable 20. The international economic outlook continues to be characterized by uncertainty, especially for the developing countries. Many of these countries are faced with mount- ing unemployment, spiraling inflation, worsening terms of trade, rising protectionism, dwindling sources of financial assistance and over-all economic stagnation. Indeed, many of the developing countries are threatened with im- minent economic collapse. 21. Members of the international community~ particu- larly developed countries and oil-producing States, must all strive to rise above the temptation to pursue short- sighted objectives of self-interest at the expense of the well-being of the global economy. ' 22. Our Government welcomes the determined efforts of the United Nations system to rallying Member States to undertake serious discussions and seek solutions to the problems confronting the international economy. We refer specifically to the recent United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, held at Nairobi, and the United Nations Conference on the Least Devel- oped Countries, held in Paris this month. In the same vein, we look forward ~with much anticipation to the forthcoming North-South summit, scheduled to be held in Cancun. 23. Liberia has consistently maintained, and continues to maintain, a Middle East policy based on the following principles: first, that a just and lasting peace cannot pre- vail in the Middle East without due recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to a State of their own; secondly, that Israel must withdraw completely from all occupied Arab lands; and, thirdly, that all States in the region, including Israel, have a right to live freely within secure and internationally rec- ognized boundaries with the fullest respect for their ter- ritorial integrity and sovereignty. 24. We wish to register our support for Egypt in its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crises in the Mid- dle East. Our sympathy certainly goes to that State which, far from shouting the loudest, pays the highest price, in both men and material, for war in that area of the world. We find nothing intrinsically wrong with par- tial agreements, and we are convinced that the Camp David agreements represent a meaningful initial approach. We believe Egypt needs the encouragment of men of good will everywhere with a view to achieving a broader and more comprehensive solution. 25. For our part, we will not permit it to be said of President Sadat as was said in 1874 of Walpole, that "in vain [he) battled . . . against the cry for war . . . He stood alone in his desire for peace." It may be recalled that Liberia, Africa's oldest republic, took the initiative of issuing a eaU last year for all States which have severed diplom~tic relations with Israel to begin a re-examination 26: We persist in stimulating public debate on the issue of diplomatic fence-mending because we believe that the increasing estrangement and isolation of Israel undermine the prospects for a peaceful solution to the Middle East problem. Links must exist to facilitate communication. In order to reconcile warring factions, the parties must at least be reached. 27. While our own re-examination process has been slow, it has produced some modest results by at least compelling us to concretize our views. 28. We find that the ostensible reason for the severance of ties with Israel-solidarity with Egypt on the matter of the violation of its territorial integrity-no longer obtains. Cairo has effected a modus vivendi with Tel Aviv, and Liberians ought not to be more Egyptian than Sadat. Yet there are issues which continue to concern us, and some of them have claimed the attention of the Israeli au- thorities. 29. We find disturbing the collaboration between Tel Aviv and Pretoria. It is equally disturbing to be reminded of the open secret that some black African States maintain vibrant and extensive economic links with South Africa. At the same time, it is reassuring to note that an active Jewish community .exists in South Africa with strong anti-apartheid sentiments. 30. Further, considering the close ties of friendship and co-operation which exist between the Lebanese and Liber- ian peoples, the Government of Liberia was distressed by Israel's recent bombing of Lebanon. We believe such an act undermines the prospects for peace in the area and trust that all parties concerned will henceforth exercise restraint. 31. Another matter which remains of crucial concern to us is the 'just cause of the Palestinian people. In the spirit of Afro-Arab solidarity, we remain irrevocably aligned with them in their struggle. We are therefore awaiting with keen interest the results of the talks on Palestinian autonomy which began in Cairo a few days ago. 32. In accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of self-de- termination and non-intereference in the internal affairs of other States, Liberia believes that the Korean question should be solved through peaceful negotiations between the peoples of North Korea and South Korea. To that end, we call on the Secretary-General to renew his offer made in 1979 to both Seoul and Pyongyang to perform an inter- mediary role. Furthermore, membership in the United Na- ttons of both North Korea and South Korea should be encouraged to help alleviate tension and create a favoura- ble climate for stability. This should be urged without prejudice to the eventual reunification of the Korean pen- inSUla. 33. Many years of hard work and resourcefulness have gone into the formulation of a convention on the law of the sea on·the basis of the principle of ih,e common heritage of mankind. Despite significant advancX:s, a final 34. Despite the many obstacles confronting th:e United Nations, we believe it has the capacity to bring about a more peaceful, just and equitable world community. How- ever, it requires the highest degree of our understanding, co-operation, dedication and commitment. Let us there- fore resolve that each of us will bring to the Organization now and in the years to come the fullest measure of those qualities. In the cause of the people, the struggle con- tinues.

Mr. President, your election to the presidency of the thirty-sixth sesr;ion of the General Assembly is a trib- ute to your outstanding qualities as a diplomat and to your vast experience, and it augurs well for the success of the work of this body, which most clearly represents interna- tional public opinion. Please allow me to congratulate you most warmly on behalf of the Greek delegation and on my own behalf. 36. The outgoing President, Mr. Riidiger von Wechmar, has earned the gratitude of the Assembly for the exem- plary way in which he guided its discussions, for his con- structive initiatives and for the prestige which he has won for his important office. 37. We also wish to extend our congratulations to the Secretary-General, who has once again during the past 12 months demonstrated the greatest dedication to his mis- sion, thus winning for himself the confidence and esteem of all. 38. I should also like to take this opportunity to wel- come the delegations of the RepUblic of Vanuatu and of Belize, young countries which, we are convinced, will play a constructive role in the great family of nations. 39. The acting President of the Council of Ministers of the European Community, Lord Carrington, has expressed [8th meeting] in a succinct and eloquent way the views of the 10 members on the principal problems at the heart of the present international situation. Greece, of course, fully supports that presentation. Please allow me, however, to describe the position of my own Government on a few questions of more particular interest to my country. 40. First of all there is the problem of the Middle East, a region of which we are very much aware both because of its geogr~phical proximity and because of the links which for so many centuries have united us to most of the peoples inhabiting it. Unfortunately,. the tensions in that regian so crucial to world peace, .far from diminishing, have persisted and even worsened. 41. 1\vo events, above all, have caused a deterioration of the situation: the destruction of the nuclear reactor at Tamuz by the Israeli Air Force and the violent bombings of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon which,- because of the loss of life and the material damage caused, have given a new magnitude to the escalation of violence. These are facts which, far from contributing to the suc- cess of peace efforts in the Middle East, have fuelled dis- trust and perpetuated confrontation. w~U as of Israel's right to secure and recognized borders. The existence of the PLO is an undeniable reality, as is the fact that that organization ,represents the Palestinian people which, just like any other people, has a right to create its own State. The State of Israel is, likewise, a reality and has a right to exist within borders which everyone, including its· Arab neighbours, recognize and respect. 43. In this context, there is a need to stress the respon- sibility of oountries that have special weight in world af- fairs or that have particular links with any party to the conflict, that is, the responsibility of those countries to exert all their influence to make it possible· for negotia- tions to begin. 44. Before concluding my comments on this question, I should like to say a few words about Lebanon, a country which has attracted general sympathy because of the mis- fortunes afflicting it simply because it finds itself at the centre of a conflict with which it is only indirectly con- cerned. Greece affirms its support for all resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly which de- mand respect for the independence, territorial integrity and internal order of Lebanon and which affirm the right of the Lebanese Government to restore its authority throughout its national territory. 45. In Namibia also, prospects for a negotiated settle- ment have diminished since the thirty-fifth session. The failure of the pre-implementation meeting at Geneva, owing to South Africa's intransigence, has given rise to serious dOUbts abou~ the possibility of an agreement in tile near future on the accession of the Territory to inde- pendence. Yet, the basis for a satisfactory and viable set- tlement does exist and, moreover, h~s already been ac- cepted by SWAPO and the front-line countries as well as by South Africa. It consists of the full application of Se- curity Council resolution 435 (1978), which provides for free elections under United Nations supervision. It goes without saying that all Namibian political forces should be enabled to participate in such elections. Moreover, conditions· must be created to enable the different ethnic gro~ps of the Territory to live in harmony. This will strengthen the feeling of security in the region. 46. In the search for a peaceful solution in Namibia, the initiative of the five Western countries which form the contact group' is of particular importance. Greece extends its full support to that-initiative and hopes that the five countries will see fit to persevere in their efforts, always on the basis of resolution 435 (1978), of which they are the authors. 47. A factor related to the Namibian problem which af- fects peace and stability throughout southern Africa is the continuation of armed incursions by South African forces into the territory of neighbouring countries, especially Angola. These incursions have recently assumed truly 48. Another international crisis of serious concern to my Government is that of Afghanistan. The presence of So- viet troops in that country is fraught with consequences that we cannot accept. The United Nations, which has on many occasions expressed its views on this subject,must continue its efforts to arrive at a political solution, which, as for any dispute of this nature, must take into account the. basic principles of the Charter, that is, respect for the independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and recognition of the right of its· people to be sole master of its destiny. 49. The same principles should serve as a starting point for the settlement of the problem of Kampuchea: with- drawal of Vietnamese troops and a free expression of the will of the Khmer people under United Nations supervi- sion. It is time for that unfortunate people, which has suffered so much in the· course of two wars and under the f cruel regime of the years 1975 to 1978, to reap at last the fruits of a peaceful existence and dedicate itself to the enormous task of national reconstruction. 50. The conflict between Iraq and Iran has lasted for more than a year. We hope it will be resolved without delay by means of negotiations. It would in fact be incon- ceivable for those two developing countries, members of the non-aligned movement, to continue a war from which neither can benefit. 51. While mentioning the non-aligned movement, I should like to reiterate from this rostrum the best wishes of my Government on the occasion of its twentieth anni- versary. In the course of its 20 years of existence the movement has gathered together cQuntries of different po- litical and socio-economic systems which have a common denominator: the desire to remain separate from blocs and to contribute to detente and understanding among peo- ples. This is a highly commendable aspiration in which we hope they will persevere. 52. This review of the international situation, however brief, would not be complete without a reference to my country's determination to contribute as much as possible to the successful conclusion of the work of the Con- ference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. Limited progress has been achieved thus far at Madrid. My Gov- ernment remains committed to the Final Act of that Con- ference, signed at Helsinki on I August 1975, and hopes that the countries participating in the Conference will make every effort to ensure that a comprehensive and bal- anced final text is adopted. 53. I should now like briefly to review a few questions which I believe are of universal interest. I shall begin with the problem of apartheid, in order to express once again our repugnance at that degrading regime which con- stitutes an affront to mankind. 54. Apartheid is an extreme case of violation of human rights. It is not the only one. In a number of countries individuals are arbitrarily deprived of their fundamental freedoms, torture is practised systematically, and persons 55. This is a situation in which we can take no pride. However, the task is not easy. Too often Governments in- voke the prirfciple of non-interference in their internal af- fairs to refuse any monitoring, any co-operation with the competent organs of the Organization. Therefore we must remain ever watchful and give human rights the broadest Possible definition: not only the right to choose one's leaders freely, to express oneself freely and to practise the religion of one's choice, but also the right to a basic stan- dard of living, one's own culture and one's own personal ethics. 56. The economic development of all countries, but above all of those which for various reasons are deprived of a satisfactory standard of living, has become in- creasingly the responsibility of the Organization. This is a source of gratification. In fact the close link that exists between.the major economic problems of our day makes .it impossible for us to consider the well-being of any par- ticular country or economic entity as an isolated case. That is why we welcome the idea of dealing with the great economic challenge by means of negotiations open to all Member States. • 57. It was not possible for the global negotiations to be- gin this year, ~s we had at one time hoped. We do not wish to underestimate the causes of this delay. It is natu- ral that the Governments, especially those which in the final analysis will be called upon to contribute most to the common effort, should be given time for reflection in order to weigh the implications of the commitments they will be asked to undertake, but they must act quickly. The negotiations themselves will not prove easy, and this is one more reason why they should not be delayed. The millions of children whose growth may be arrested be- cause of inadequate nutrition will not forgive us for our failure. 58. Gre~ce, a maritime country par excellence, believes in the need to conclude without further delay a conven- tion which covers all the aspects of the law of the sea and is acceptable to all countries, large or small. Without such a convention mankind may 500n be faced with chaos. I hope that this fact will be recognized by all and that all the parties concerned will show moderation and a spirit of co-operation, which are so necessary if we are to arrive at a convention for which the international commu- nity has been working for over 10 y~ars. 59. I could conclude my statement on that note if it were not for a problem of particular importance to all Greeks, a. problem which has the sad privilege of being one of the oldest in the agenda of the Assembly and which in the COl~rse of recent years has not advanced a single step towards a solution. As you may have guessed, I am referring to the problem of Cyprus. 60. The situation has remained unchanged during the past 12 months. A considerable part of the territory of the RepUblic of Cyprus is still occupied. The\t;fugees, ap- proximately one quarter of the population,\C,ontinue to 62. As for the intercommunal talks, after having regis- tered no progress fqr long months, some progress has fi- nally been achieved through the introduction of Thrkish Cypriot proposals on the territorial aspect of the problem. However, although these proposals are a small step for- ward, they cannot be considered a substantial contribution to a successful dialogue. 63. For its part the Government of Cyprus, in spite of justifiable disappointment, has made reasonable proposals on the constitutional aspect-reasonable because they are consistent with the notion of a unified State within which the two communities could live in harmony and with equal rights. 64. There can be no doubt that the respective positions are still far removed from each other. The Secretary-Gen- eral-and I wish to take this 0Pfvrtunity to thank him and his Special Representative for meir tireless efforts- while noting this fact in his report, has expressed his in- tention to undertake an initiative to make it possible to bring the divergent views closer together [see A13611, sect. IV]. We trust him to seek with his wisdom andcus- tomary skill the best way of making a contribution to the common effort at this crucial point in the dialogue. 65. That is the situation at the beginning of the thirty- sixth session. A few days ago [12th meeting] my col- league from Cyprus assured us from this rostrum of his Government's desire to continue the dialogue: We hope that this desire is reciprocated. We are convinced that a solution can emerge from the intercommunal talks if they are conducted in a constructive spirit and with the genu- ine politica' will to arrive at a solution acceptable to all. 66. As far as my Government is concerned, it is pre- pared to support any solution consistent with the princi- ples of the Charter, General Assembly resolutions and the genuine interests of the two communities. 67'. The case of Cyprus may prove to be the touchstone of the United Nations. It is the case Qf a small country which has placed all its hopes for survival in the Organi- zation. If the United Nations· were not to succeed in en- suring that the rule of law prevails it would be failing in a fundamental duty. 68. Force has for too long governed the world. It is high time for it to yield to justice and reason. The ideals most cherished by mankind since the beginning of civi- lization have found expression in the Chrrter. It is up to all of us to see to it that they are not redi;,;ced to meaning- less words. . abT~ you to discharge honourably the heavy responsibility that has been entrusted to you. I should like through you, Sir, to extend my warm congratulations to the Vice-Presi- dents and the other members of the General Committee. 71. To our eminent Secretary-General, I should like to reaffirm my Government's high appreciation of his devo- tion and his tireless efforts in the cause of international peace and co-operation. 72. We sh~uld also like warmly to congratulate Belize and the Republic of Vanuatu on their admission to the United Nations as the one hundred fifty-fifth and one hundred fifty-sixth Members and to extend a cordial wel- come to their worthy representatives. 73. The thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly has opened at a time when the international situation promises to be difficult and complicated. Indeed, while the forces of peace, national independence, democracy, justice and socialism are growing stronger everywhere in the world, the imperialists and those in certain Western military circles are adopting a belligerent policy and striving to recover the positions they have lost by reviving the cold war and signaling the start of an arms race. All this constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security, and these reckless actions have adversely af- fected international relations. 74. Thus, over the past 12 months detente has gradually given way to a policy of confrontation, the arms race has been carried on at an accelerated rate and the world eco- nomic crisis has worsened. 75. Negotiations on armS limitation and disarmament in various bodies of the United Nations and elsewhere have yielded scanty results in the course' of 1981. The bilateral negotiations between tlle Soviet Union and the United States on the limitation of strategic arms were unilaterally broken off by the American side, to the great detriment of the cause of disarmament. Furthermore, the United States has not only refused thus far to ratify but has even called into question' the SALT 11 treaty. The recent decision of the United States Gov~rnment to manufacture the neutron bomb constitutes a further escalation of the arms race. 76. In order to avert this peril threatening all mankind and contemporary civilization, the peoples of the whole world must join forces against this new escalation and vigorously condemn the dangerous doctrine of "limited nuclear war" advocated in'certain imperialist circles and frenetically supported by international reactionaries. 77. This acceleration of the arms race, motivated by the new United States Administration's policy of confrontation with the socialist countries, in particular the Soviet • Mr. Siptaseut spoke in Lao. The French version of his statement was supplied by the delegation. 78. In Latin America and the Caribbean the United States, in spite of international condemnation, continues to provide every kind of assistance to the dictatorial Gov- ernments that are u~s lackeys, such as those of El Sal- vador, Chile and others, for the purpose of suppressing' the most elementary democratic rights and freedoms and savagely slaughtering their peoples, whose struggle, now in a decisive stage, will lead to certain victory. . 79. Against Cuba, Nicaragua, Grenada and other Latin American countries which have opted for a policy of free and independent development free from all imperialist domination, the United States has pursued a policy of in- terference, pressure and threats of aggression. 80. In Europe, we ha\'e seen with great concern a re- vival of tension resulting from attempts by the United States and certain circles in the North Atlantic Treaty Or- ganization [NATO] to install new medium-range nuclear missiles in order to revive the cold war. At the same time, they are supporting counter-revolutionary forces in Poland in order to sow disorder there and to deflect that country from the path of socialism. 81. On the African continent, particularly in its south- ern part, the continued occupation of Namibia by South Africa, and the Pretoria Government's policy of apartheid, which are supported by imperialism, have led to a considerable increase in tension, thus posing a se- rious threat to peace and security, not only in Africa, but in the world at large. 82. The recent eighth emergency special session of the General Assembly, devoted to the question of Namibia, clearly demonstrates the great concern of the peoples of the world over the deteriorating situation in Namibia after the obstinate refusal of South Africa to withdraw from that Territory and the intensification of its acts of aggres- sion against Angola, Mozambique and other neighbouring countries. 83. In the Middle East, 1981 has seen the proliferation of acts of aggression by Israel, with the unreserved sup- port of the United States, against Arab countries, particu- larly Lebanon, with a view to eliminating Palestinian re- sistance and ~hreatening the security of Syria. The unprovoked attacks by Israel against Iraq's nuclear reactor and by the United States against Libyan aircraft are all irrefutable evidence of their belligerent actions and their flouting of the principles of international law and moral- ity. 84. In the region of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the bloody conflict between Iraq and Iran, two neighbouring non-aligned countries, has caused consider- able suffering and losses to both parties and has given the United States further excuses to ej{ercise its military su- premacy in that very sensitive part of the world by strengthening its air and naval base at Diego Gar~fa, by establishing new bases, known as "military facilities", and by c~ating "rapid deployment forces" which are 86. In Afghanistan, the imperialists and international re- actionaries are continuing their undeclared war against the Afghan revolution, thus creating extreme tension in that part of the world. 87. In South-East Asia, the hegemonistic and expansio- nist policies of the Peking leadership have brought about a constant state of tension and threaten the security and independence of Laos, Viet Nam and Kampuchea as well as the peace and stability of the whole region. Indeed, in order to achieve their dark designs, the Peking hegemo- nists, in close collusion with the American imperialists, have tried, first of all, to pit the countries of the Associa- tion Qf South-East Asian Nations [ASEAN]'against the three countries of Indo-China, which would facilitate their manoeuvres of interference, undermining and aggression there. They are also attempting to sow division among the countries of Indo-China, which constitute a serious obsta- cle to their advance towards the south. 88. The recent visit of the Chinese Prime Minister to certain ASEAN countries was for the sole purpose of camouflaging Peking's support for pseudo-revolutionary groups in those countries and inciting them to adopt a more intransigent attitude towards the three Indochinese countries. This has further worsened the tension between the two groups of countries. The result, not reckoned on by Peking, is that the two-faced policy of the Peking hegemonists has been exposed, and certain ASEAN coun- tries are now fully aware of it. - 89. With regard to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Peking hegemonists, encouraged and supported by the United States, have greatly reinforced their troops and in- tensified their anned provocations along the Chinese-Viet- namese frontier, with a view to threatening Viet Nam in all areas. This bears a strong resemblance to past Ameri- can intenrention against Viet Nam and against Laos and Kampuchea. The recent so-called International Con- ference on Kampuchea, in which China, the United States, the ASEAN countries and their allies together played a role, is also striking evidence of this. ~. The Lao People's Democratic Republic, together WIth the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and all the socialist countries and other justice-loving countries, rejected and condemned that- Conference as a crude attack on the independence and sovereignty of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and we wish to state once again that we c.onsider all the de~isions emerging from that Conference to'-~ null and VOId. 92. But it is regrettable that those coherent and realistic proposals, which are moreover totally in accordance with the spirit and letter of the principle of the peaceful settle- ment of disputes, were not accepted by the ASEAN coun- tries. And what is more, certain ASEAN countries, at the instigation of Peking and Washington, have even made it possible for meetings to be held at Singapore and later at Bangkok among reactionary Khmers in exile, with a view to forming a "united front" and a so-called coalition gov- ernment. Such acts constitute flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Kampuchea. Ultimately, those meetings have served only to make public the inevitable dissension among those factions. So whatever subterfuges may be used by Peking and Washington against the Kampuchean people, they cannot possibly alter the politically and le- gally stable situation in Kampuchea. 93. In his recent statement at New Delhi, the Vtce- Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the People's Re- public of Kampuchea noted that "the Government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, in agreement with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, will consider the partial withdrawal of Vietnamese' troops from Kampuchea if Thailand ceases its support of and aid to the remnants of the Pol Pot supporters and other little groups of reactionaries in their attempts to undermine the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and if it ceases to pro- vide sanctuary on its territory for those elements." This is a new and very positive step towards a concrete solu- tion of the problem of Kampuc;hea and towards the estab- lishment of peace, stability and mutual understanding among the countries of the region. . 94. The. three countries of Indo-China will nevertheless continue their efforts to bring about consultations with the ASEAN countries, in accordance with their proposals, with a view to settling differences between the two groups of countries. 95. In this context, my delegation, after consultation and agreement with the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the People's Republic of Kampuchea, has the honour of presenting here a certain number of principles to govern relations between the two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN. ,96. First, there must be respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each, and non':ag- gression, equality, mutual advantage and peaceful co.,.exis- tence between the two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN for the sake of peace, stability, friendship and co-operation in South-East Asia. . 97. There must be respect for the rights of the people of each country to choose and develop freely their political, social, economic, and cultural system and to determine freely their internal and external political courses in ac- cordance with the principles and objectives of non..align- ment and of the Charter of the United Nations, _and no imposing of the will of one party on another. 99. Secondly, outstanding controversies and differences between the two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN, and also between other countries of the region, ntust be settled by peaceful means, through negotiation, and in the spirit ~hat all problems of South-East Asia should be settled by the countries of the region in accord- ance with the principles of equality, friendship, mutual respect and understanding, bearing in mind the legitimate interests of all parties, by common accord, without the imposition of the will of one party on another, without external interference and without recourse to the threat or use of force in their relations. 100. There must be respect for the right of all countries of Indo-China and ASEAN, and also the other countries of South-East Asia, to take individual or collective self- defence measures in accordance with the principles of non-alignment and the Charter of the United Nations, and no country shall be' allowed to use collective defence treaties to serve its own particular interests and to oppose other countries of the region. 101. Thirdly, there must be continuation and develop- ment of bilateral and multilateral co-operation in eco- nomic, technical, scientific, cultural, sport and tourist matters between the two groups of countries of. Indo- China and ASEAN, and also with other countries of South-East Asia, on the basis of the principles of equality and mutual advantage, with a view to strengthening un- derstanding and mutual confidence and relations of friend- ship and good'neighbourliness in the interests of building up each country in accordance with its special c,ircum- stances. : 102. The countries concerned in the region will co-oper- ate to exploit the Mekong with a view to developing their respective economies and also the common prosperity of the region. 103. Fourthly, there must be .respect for the sovereignty of countries with coastlines on the South China Sea over their territoriil1 waters and their sovereign rights over their exdusive economic zones and their continental shelf. 104. The land-locked country of the region must be given favourable conditions for transit to and from the sea, and that country must be. given maritime rights and advantages in accordance with international law and prac- tice. 105. There must be settlement of disputes between the countries with coastlines on the: South China Sea over maritime zones and islands by means of negotiation. Pending the solution, the interested parties must under- take to do nothing to aggravate existing differences. The countries of the area will join forces to seek together means of co-operation among themselves and also with other countries, whether or not they belong to the region, in exploiting the resources of the sea and ocean floor on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual advantage, the preservation of the marine environment against polIu- 107. The countries of the area will allow no country to use their territory as a base for aggression or direct or indirect interference in the affairs of other countries. 108. These countries declare their readiness to co-oper- ate with other countries outside the region and with inter- national organizations and to accept their assistance when no political conditions are attached. 109. Bilateral or multilateral co-operation among the two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN,and also other countries of the region with those outside the region, must in no case prejudice the security and inter- ests of other countries of the area, nor should it be di-, rected against any other country. 110. Sixthly, in order to make fruitful the application of the ab~ve-me~tioned principles, a perm.anent body would be set up whIch would be entrusted WIth the task of or- ganizing dialogue and consultation among two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN, possibly with the participation of Burma. The composition of this. body, to be determined by common agreement, would comprise one or more countriesrepresenting:~ach group on the one-to-one principle. This organ would meet annually in order to resolve the various problems raised concerning relations among the members of the two groups and could hold a special session in the case of any urgent or crisis situation. 111. Seventhly, the above-mentioned principles would constitute the basis of the dialogue and consultations to be held, which would.be directed towards concluding an agreement or some other form of understanding between the two groups of countries of Indo-China and ASEAN, which would be ready to invite other countries of the area to participate therein. 112. With regard to the situation in my country, since the foundation of the Lao People's Democratic RepUblic on 2 December 1975, a multinational Lao people has de- voted all its efforts and energies to healing the wounds of war while building a new life. In' spite of the numerous problems bequeathed by the lon~ and devastating war, to- gether with the disastrous consequences of floods .and drought, and in spite of the subversive and undermining activities of our enemies, we have, thanks to our own efforts and the assistance of fraternal and friendly coun- tries, as well as the assistance of international organiza- tions, produced significant results in many fields. In par- ticular, we have firmly safeguarded our country and laid down certain bases for the economic, social and cultural devefopment of our people. 113, This year we began to put into effect our first five- yeat development plan. It is our conviction that, thanks to the determination and sustained efforts of our people and to assistance. from friendly and fraternal countries and from international organizations, we will be able to fulfil 114. Furthermore, while stepping up their campaign of propaganda and calumny against our country, they have been encouraging, training and arming reactionary Lao exiles and sending them back into Laos, directly or through a neighbouring country, to fIght against the Lao people. They have been seeking by every possible means to pit us against our neighbours. 115. In the face of such a policy of provocation, intim- idation and intervention, Laos and the two other countries of Indo-China, which in the past as in the present have always fought shoulder to shqu!der against common en- emies, will continue to strengthen their co-operation and special ties of solidarity in defence of their independence and the building up of their respective countries in this n·ewera. 116. These ties of special solidarity among the three countries of Iodo-China pose a threat to no one. At their conference in Phnom Penh on 13 and 14 June last the Foreign Ministers of Laos, Viet Nam and Kampuchea stated that the cessation by China of its attacks and· armed acts of provocation against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic and its support for the Pol Pot clique and the reactionary Khmer forces would facilitate the settlement of their dispute with China on the basis of the principles of strict respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-ag- gression, non-interference in internal affa;rs, equality and mutual advantage. 117. With the Kingdom of Thailand, the Lao People's Democratic RepUblic has always scrupulously applied the provisions of the joint Lao-Thai .communique of 1979 making the frontier between the two countries a frontier of peace, friendship and co-operation with a view to pro- moting Jelations of gooa-neighbourliness between the two peoples. However, that communique has still :~,'i be given full effect on a permanent basis by the other ptu';y, with- out foreign interference. For this· to happen, the Thai au- thorities must demonstrate a greater measurf· of realism and common sense if they want to see an improvement in relations between the two countries. 118. As you will have realized, the international situa- tion is a matter of constant concern because of the policy of confrontation chosen by the United States, the keystone of which is the "anti-Soviet strategy". However, the so- cialist countries; the non-aligned countries and other peace-loving countries have consistently made construc- tive proposals to strengthen detente; to consolidate peace, to curb the arms· race and to bring about confIdence- building measures in Europe as well as in the other conti- nents. 119. Faithful to its policy of peace, independence, friendship and non-alignment, the Lao People's Demo- cratic Republic commends the constructive ,attitude of the socialist countries in all negotiating forums ".on disarma- ment and supports the proposals put f0l1h by~he twenty- 120. The Lao People's Democratic RepUblic is in favour of the resumption of negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States on the iimitationof strategic arms and energetically condemns the .decision of the United States Administration to manufacture the neutron bomb. a decision wh;..:h serves only to increase the risk of a nuclear conflagration. 121. Similarly, we favour a further intensifIcation by the United Nations of its efforts to avert at all costs the dan- ger of a nuclear war which, in view of the present high level of accumulation and sophistication of nuclear weap- ons and, above all, the growing ter.dency towards the pro- liferation of such weapons, constitutes more than ever be- fore a real threat of universal extinction. In this context, we consider most timely the initiative of the Soviet Gov- ernment in submitting for consideration at this session of the Assembly a draft declaration on the prevention of nu- clear catastrophe [see A/36/241]. The adoption of a decla- ration on this subject would undeniably contribute to the restoration of a climate of confIdence in international rela- tions and would exert a benefIcial influence on the nego- tiations on the limitation and ultimate elimination of stra- tegic and nuclear weapons. 122. We condemn the interference of certain Western countries in the internal affairs of Poland, and we hope that the Polish United Workers' Party and the Polish State will be able to overcome all the diffIculties Poland is now facing. We appreciate the measures taken by the Soviet Union and other socialist countries to. help the Polish peo- ple safeguard the achievements of the revolution. 123: Intercommunal negotiations to arrive at an equita- ble and lasting solution to the problem of Cyprus seem to have be~;. \li;..~~ing time for the last few months. In the interest of the whole Cypriot people, foreign interference in the inte!nal affairs of Cyprus must cease so that those negotiations can progress. 124. The Lao People's Democratic Republic energet- icaIly condemns the policy of interference, pressure and threats of aggression by imperialism against CUba, Nic- magua; Grenada and other Latin American countries and supports the struggle of the peoples of El Salvador and Chile to recover their democratic rights and freedoms. At the same time, we support the just struggle of the Puerto Rican people for its right to self-detertnination and inde- pender.:e and vigorously condemn thz use by the United States of biological weapons against Cuba. Those weap- ons have caused casualties among the civilian popUlation and done considerable damage to agricUlture and stock- breeding. 125. We energetically condemn all equivocation and obstructionism designed to prevent the implementation of the decisions of the eighth emergency special session of the General Assembly. We should like to reaffIrm our un- 127." We continue our support for and militant solidarity with the valiant Sahraoui people, courageously waging its just struggle for self-determination and independence un- der the leadership of the POLISARIO Front. 2 128. We vigorously condem~~ the acts of aggression by Israel against Lebanon and against the Palestinian civilian population, as well as its at~ack on the nuclear reactor of Iraq. We support the just struggle of the Palestinian peo- ple, under the leadership of the PLO,. to recover its in- alienable natronal rights, including the right to establish an independent Palestinian State in Palestine. 129. We vigorously condemG'! the subversive designs and machinations of the international imperialists and reaction- aries in Afghanistan and we reaffirm our militant soli- darity with the Afghan people who, with the disinterested aid of the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, is waging a valiant struggle to defend its independence and sovereignty as well as the achievements of the revolution of April 1978. In this spirit, we support the proposal of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan to begin bilateral negotiations with Pakistan and Iran or, if those two countries so wish, trilateral ne- gotiations, in both cases with the possible participation of the Secretary-General or his representative. 130. We support the struggle of the Korean people for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the southern part of Korea and for the independent and peaceful unification. of Korea, without foreign interference. . 131. In thl; context of peace and stability in Asia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic firmly supports the proposal of the Mongolian People's Republic [see A/36/388] with regarcl to an international convention on non-aggression and the non-use of force in relations among the countries of Asia and the Pacific region. 132. After having suffered so long the crimes and terror of genocide, the valiant people of Kampuchea are still forced to endure the flagrant injustice of having their rep- resentatives debarred from the Organization, while the seat reserved for its representatives continues to be oc- cupied by the very people wh(\ were their executioners. 133. Ever since its foundation the People's Republic of Kampuchea has shown itself to be a State that is responsi- ble and capable of meeting its international and national obligations. Over the past few years the Kampuchean people have brought about a remarkable revivaL After the general elections which took place throughout the country last May, the Kampuchean people established legislative, executive and judicial authorities and other State institu- tions aC\.jrding to the course that it had chosen. Those are the very conditions required of a State Member of the United Nations. The Lao People's Democratic Republic therefore feels that it is high time the international com- munity redressed this injustice by restoring without delay 134. The Laotian people reaffirms its unswerving soli- darity with the Vietnamese people in its brave struggle on all fronts to defend its homeland against the threats of aggression by the hegemonists in Peking. The Lao Peo- ple's Democratic Republic fully supports the proposals of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam with regard to meas- ures to bring about an end to hostilities, the separation of the troops of the two countries and the creation ofa demilitarized zone in order to restore peace and stability to the Sino-Vietnamese border, as well as its proposals to resume as soon as possible the third series of Sino-Viet- namese talks at the deputy foreign minister level to dis- cuss matters of common concern, with a view to restoring normal relations between the two countries. 135. To sum up, we give our unreserved support to the struggle of all peoples against aggression, imperialist oc- cupation, colonialism in its old and new forms, hegemon- ism, racism and racial discrimination, apartheid and zion- ism, because all these factors constitute the primary threat to international peace and security. 136. Together with the augmentation of political ten- sion, 1981 has also been marked by the aggravation of the world economic situation. Indeed, the economic crisis which has held the world in its grip for several years has continued to worsen, because of the lack of appropriate measures which should have been taken by the developed capitalist countries to redress the situation. In this regard, the proposal of the developing countries that global nego- tiations on development and international co-operation be embarked upon with a view to bringing about the new international economic order has encountered unjustifiable obstacles erected by certain developed countries which took part in the North-South dialogue in Paris. In the in- terest of mutually beneficial international co-operation it is necessary for the negotiations to begin as soon as pos- sible and to lead to the desired results. Otherwise, it is to be feared that the economic difficulties will become worse, giving rise to international crisis with the gravest possible consequences. 137. I have ju~t set out the views of my Government on the major problems of concern to intem~tional opinion over the past 12 months. 138. Before concluding I should like to repeat the com- mitment and readiness of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to contribute by every means in its power to strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations. However, it is hardly necessary to stress that the Organi- zation's authority and effectiveness depend essentially on its decisions and its ability to settle all the issues submit- ted for its consideration. 139. For the United Nations to remain a true instrument of international peace and co-operation, it is absolutely 140. I hope that the work of the General Assembly dur- ing its thirty-sixth session will have great success.

On behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Zambia, it gives me great pleasure to join those who have spoken before me in congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election as President of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly. May your leadership ensure that the outcome of this session strengthens the collective efforts of mankind to bring about a better world. 142. My delegation commends your predecessor, Mr. Riidiger von Wechmar of the Federall Republic of Ger- many, for the excellent manner in which he presided over the work of the thirty-fifth session and the eighth emer- gency special session, devoted to the question of Namibia. 143. The Secretary-General has continued to work with dedication in the service of the United Nations. I convey to him my delegation's appreciation of his efforts in working for world peace and security. 144. Let me take this opportunity to welcome the new nations of Vanuatu and Belize on their admission into the United Nations. We rejoice, because once ~gain the United Nations has moved closer to the realization of the much-cherished principle of universality of membership. 145. Once again we meet at a time when the world is confronted with growing international tension, heightened bloc rivalry, the escalation of the arms race, the per- sistence of regional hotbeds of crisis and the creation of new conflicts in various parts of the world, the continuing illegal occupation of other people's lands and the una- bated evils of apartheid and racism. The major Powers seem powerless to block or put an end to the arms race, growing violence, armed intervention or aggression and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States, domination of others, inequity and injustice in the world. 146. In the quest to become "the greatest", some of them have become blind to the caliS~ of freedom, inde- pendence, justice and equality for all the peoples of the world. Indeed, they shamefully support and sustain re- gimes that thrive on the savage repression and degradation of other human beings on the grounds of colour and race and which deny others freedom, independence or a home- land. These circumstances, some of which provide a basis for glaring violations of human rights, threaten world peace and security. 147. It has been said that the emergence after the Sec- ond World War of two major Powers with antagonistic systems has played a significant role in the militarization of the world: The competition between thes~!'owers has undoubtedly affected most parts of the globe. n~s, while 148. There can be no doubt that the greate3t threat to mankind today is the existence and continuing develop- ment of devastating nuclear weapons. An overwhelming majority of the world's peoples certainly does not possess or desire nuclear arms. They do not have the technologi- cal capability or the necessary resources to develop and produce these weapons. And we are back to the great Powers of ou", time and a few other countries. It is the Governments of these countries that hold the world host- age to their possession of nuclear weapons. It is these countries that are engaged in the never-ending quest for the development of advanced nuclear weaponry, and i~ is the Governments of these countries that must inevitably play a decisive role to rid mankind of the nightmare of world-wide nuclear devastation. Although the nuclear arms face affects the security of all States, it is clear that the two major nuclear-weapon States-the United States and the Soviet Union-will have to take the lead in the nuclear disarmament process. 149. I now turn t" the situation in southern Africa. Here we confront three major problems: .that of the freedom and independence of Namibia, that of apartheid and ma- jority rule in South Africa and that of South Africa's de- stabilization of neighbouring independent States. 150. The problem of Namibia is one of colonialism and illegal occupation by South Africa, in arrogant defiance of the international community and of the various United Nations resolutions and decisions on the matter. Against the background of.a momentous and impressive record of decolonization since the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples [General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)] some 21 years ago, the world community cannot but be indig- nant at the posture and actions of South Africa with Ie- gal'd to Namibia's freedom and independence. South Af- rica must be made to realize that the right of people to self-determination, sovereignty and independence is a uni- versal quest of mankind and is exercised throughout the progressive world. There can be no turning the clock back in Namibia. Freedom and genuine inde:(.-endence wiU c,ome to Namibia-.and soon, at that. 151. South Africa and its supporters are labouring under the delusion that they can exclude SWAPO from the solu- tion of the Namibian problem in favour ofapuppetre- gime and that they will be able to preserve existing colo- nial and racist relations in Namibia. The Ieeent victory of the people of Zimbabwe has proved that noamounto( force by the oppressor, or chicanery through bogus inter- nal settlement, can prevent a people from choosing 'a gov- ernment that is responsive to its real needs and aspira- tions. As an authentic liberation movement, SWAPO 153. In our view, which is shared by many others, the five-member Western contact group, which initiated the plan for the independence of Namibia, bears a special re- sponsibility to prevail upon the recalcitrant Pretoria re- gime to accept the plan as it is so that Namibia can fi- nally achieve its independence. Members of the group certainly possess enormous influence and leverage over South Africa. We are not satisfied that they have exerted sufficient pressure on South Africa to ensure its co-opera- tion in the implementation of the United Nations plan on the independence of Namibia as envisaged in Security Council resolution 435 (1978). We call upon them to do so. 154. In South Africa itself, the practice of racism, re· pression, oppression, deprivation and state terrorism against the non-white majority has now given rise to the heightened militancy and increased combat capacity of the oppressed segment of the population. This militancy is eloquent evidence of the current state and direction of the liberation struggle against apartheid and minority rule. The African nationalists and freedom fighters are no longer afraid of the much-vaunted military superiority of the apartheid regime. This clear defiance of military su- periority by the forces of national liberation is indicative of the fact that the will of oppressed people shall not be thwarted, even under the most brutal military machine Africa has ever known. 155. The policy of apartheid has universally been con- demned as an evil one and a crime against humanity. It can only be practised, supported and sustained by evil men. We must; therefore, strive to dismantle the apartheid structure quickly. The international community should, accordingly, welcome, encourage and support the heightened struggle of the oppressed people of South Af- rica for the eradication of apartheid. This solidarity with the oppressed people of South Africa should be man- ifested in an intensified international campaign for the os- tracism of the Pretoria regime, as well as through material assistance to the liberation movements in South Africa. 156. The situation in southern Africa is also one that directly endangers the peace, security and independence of African countries in the neighbourhood of South Af- rica. Thus, the racist South African regime has been com- mitting and continues to commit wanton acts of aggres- sion against Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, mainly because those countries play essential roles as secure rear bases for the liberation struggle in southern Africa. The recent South African aggression against Angola has been particularly vicious and on an 158. South Africa's aim in all those actions is the de- stabilization of sovereign and independent African States in southern Africa. We strongly condemn South Africa for all those actions. We also wish to register our great indignation in regard to those Western Powers which are responsible for sustaining the apartheid system through their political, diplomatic, ideological, economic, strate- gic and other forms of collaboration and support. 159. There is another dimension of the southern African situation which my delegation wishes to underscore. This relates to the fact that the atmosphere of oppression, re· pression and war that obtains in the area has led to an exodus of people as refugees from South Africa and Namibia into neighbouring countries in search of peaceful sanctuary. At the same time, the vicious act of aggression committed by South Africa against Angola has resulted in a severe displacement of people. Both the refugees and the displaced people represent a human tragedy of vast proportions brought about by the racist South African re- gime. We call upon the international community not only to condemn South Africa for causing the tragedy but also to come urgently to the assistance of the victims of the tragedy. l60. It is clear that all those problems of southern Af- rica have been brought about and are kept alive by the apartheid regime in South Africa. It is equally clear to us that, with the support it receives from certain Western countries, the racist South African regime has been en- abled to build up its growing military power and ma- chinery of subjugation, to defy international public opin- ion, and to increase its intransigence. We therefore hold those countries equally responsible for the tragic situation that we confront in southern Africa-a situation that is certainly a serious threat to world peace and security. 161. Once again we wish to state that peaceful change in South Africa and peaceful resolution of the Namibian problem are possible. South Africa's aggression against Angola and illegal occupation of parts of its territory must end quickly. South Africa must be made to realize that its destabiIization of neighbouring independent States will not stop the internal struggle inside South Africa it- self against apartheid and minority rule by the oppressed masses of that country. It is our conviction that the West· em Powers and friends of South Africa have and can ex.ert sufficient leverage over that country to facilitate the elim- ination of apartheid, to bring about desired change and majority rule in South Africa, to compel South Africa to relinquish its stranglehold on Namibia so that the Terri- tory can secure its freedom and genuine independence, to compel South Africa to get its troops out of Angola, and to ensure that the peace, security and independence of the front-line and other affected neighbouring States cease to 163. My delegation is very much concerned about the unending conflict in the Middle East. This situation has been brought about by Israel's policy of aggression, ex- pansionism and colonial settlement in the occupied Arab territories. As in the case of South Africa vis-a-vis Namibia, we are confronted with Israel's continuing de- fiance of the relevant resolutions and decisions of the United Nations. Again as in the case of South Africa's aggression against neighboutjng countries, the situation in the Middle East has become m~re explosive than ever be- fore because of Israel's latest military adventurism against the sovereign States of Lebanon and Iraq-not to mention its repression of the people of Palestine. 164. An imperative condition for defusing the highly volatile situation and establishing enduring peace in this area is the immediate withdrawal of Israel from all il- legally occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and the restoration to the Palestinian people of their in- alienable national rights, including their right to a State of their own in their homeland. Together with such a with- drawal, there would also be the need to establish appro- priate arrangements to guarantee the sovereignty, ter- ritorial integrity and political independence of all States in the region. In this connection, Israel would be expected to adhere to the unconditional cessation of its intran- sigence and military adventurism in the area. 165. The PLO is the authentic representative of the Pal- estinian people. As such, the PLO should be an equal partner in any serious negotiations to resolve the question of Palestine, which is the crux of the Middle East sagtl.. 166. My delegation wishes to express its profound re- gret that, in spite of the efforts of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the United Nations and the non- aligned movement, the armed conflict between Iran and Iraq continues with no end in sight. We appeal to both Iran and Iraq to end the war between them and thus put an end to the loss of human life, the destruction of prop- erty and the impediment to their development. They should resort to the exercise of finding a just and honour- able settlement of the dispute through negotiations, as has been urged upon them by various international bodies and peace missions. The continuation of the war could well give a pretext to outside Powers to intervene and thereby enlarge the conflagration. 167. During the thirty-fifth session of the General As- sembly, my delegation joined in the call for an urgent resolution of the Afghanistan crisis [resolution 35/37]. To- day, that crisis is still with us. I therefore Wish to reiterate my delegation's call at that session [70th meeting] for an 169. With regard to the Korean peninsula, we. strongly support efforts for the peaceful reunification of Korea and once again call for the withdrawal of foreign troops from South Korea. 170. We are encollraged by the resumption of intercom- munal talks CiD the question of Cyprus under the auspices of the Secret?d'y-General. We hope that the talks will lead to the resolution of the conflict niat has afflicted that country for too long. Above all, al~Y settlement of the question of Cyprus should be based on the principles of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-aligned status of that country. 171. My delegation notes with extreme disquiet that the question of declaring the Indian Ocean a zone (of peace is still unresolved. In the meantime, the situatioln in and around the Indian Ocean is fraught with danger owing to the emergence of an arms race and super-Power' rivalry for the military control of the region. Wr. reiterate our posi- tion, calling upon the great Powers to initiate the elimina- tion from the Indian Ocean region of all their bases, mili- tary installations, logistical supply facilities, the disposition of weapons of mass destruction and any man- ifestations of great-Power military presence conceived in the context of great-Power rivairy. We further urge the holding of the Conference on the Indian Ocean in accord- ance with General Assembly resolution 35/150. That Conference, which was supposed to have taken place dur- ing the course of this year, was vehemently opposed and frustrated by certain Western Powers on dubious grounds concerning the harmonization of views as a precondition. 172. In the economic sphere, there can be no doubt as to the seriousness of the present situation and the hard- ships it has brought to the majority of countries. The rich industrialized countries are, to a very considerable extent, to blame for the present malaise in the world economic situation. We are witnessing increased resistance on the part of these countries to structural change. Thus,. many of them are unwilling to work for a new international eco- nomic order in which interdependence between nations can become more meaningful, They have frustrated the North-South dialogue because they want to maintain the status quo in which the poor would remain poot and the rich would get richer. 173. Those who care to be objective must concede that the present economic order has brought the world into a dangerously polarized state of inequality. Underdevelop- ment and the resultant conditions of poverty, deprivation and diminished human pote3tial everywhere, which the present economic order certainly perpetuates, pose serious dangers to us all. There can be no doubt that the present economic relations in the world are a serious impediment to the development efforts of many nations, particularly those in the developing world. 175. It is against this background that we call for the urgent commencement of global negotiations aimed at evolving a coherent and integrated approach to the solu- tions of major problems concerning international eco- nomic relations and the world economy as a ·whole. i\ 176. It can thus be seen that international relations are at present at a crossroads. There is. a need to ask our- selves whether we are prepared to find, through joint efforts and by negotiations, solutions to the major interna- tional problems, or to face an even deeper crisis. We must admit that the gravity of the moment and the impor- tance of· the task to be undertaken in order to overcome present political, economic and social problems will re- qUire a sense of increased responsibility and willingness to search for genuine and long-term so~utions. 177. The United Nations has a vital role to play in the search for solutions to these problems. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us all to demonstrate our political will in our collective efforts to realize the lofty aims and objec- tives of this world body. 178. Zambia for its part reaffIrms its faith in the United Nations. We also pledge to continue to support the -Or- ganization in its important mission to save mankind from the scourge of war and to achieve for all the people of the world political, economic and social justice.

Let me first of all, Sir, express my warm congratulations to you on your election to the presidency of the current session of the General Assembly. As a colleague, I am familiar with your out- standing qualities and I am sure that your guidance will be a major factor in channelling our deliberations and work towards constructive ends. 180. I wish also to I)xpress our appreciation to the out- going President, Mr: v\ln"W'echmar, who earned the admi- ration of all of us by the manner in which he conducted the proceedings of the previous session. We wish him success in his new mission. 181. I should like, finally, to express to the Secretary- General our deep appreciation for the persistent efforts he is deploying in furthe.:ance of our shared objectives. 182. We wannly welcome Belize and the RepUblic of Vanuatu. I extend to the Governments and peoples of Vanuatu and Belize our sincere wishes for progress and prosperity. 183. As we meet in the General Assembly each year we express our perceptions of world problems, our expecta- 184. For some years now an atmosphere of pessimism and gloom has pervaded our meetings. During the past year tensions have continued unabated and have been ex- acerbated by the reckless behaviour of some countries, particularly in the Middle East. The process of detente has been seriously undermined by the infringement of the ' principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The world economy, for developed and developing countries alike, is plagued by serious crises. It suffers from the absence of a deter- mined move towards a more just international economic order. 185. Many intractable problems are being discussed in the United Nations. The solution to them has been frus- trated for many years. However, one glirpmer of hope is that in some instances a bX;akthrough may be achieved if the parties involved can work out reasonable negotiating positions. 186. One such example is the question of Cyprus. We all·know the long history of the drama of that island since 1963, as well as the troubled course of the negotiations between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot commu- nities. 187. Recent!y an important, perhaps crucial, cross-roads was reacheCl in the intercommunal talks, which have been under way without interruption for over a year now under the auspices of the Secretary-General and in accordance with his opening statement of 9 August 1980. 3 That fact in itself augurs well for the future. The Secretary-Gen- eral's determined efforts towards a· settlement in Cyprus are most commendable. I wish to reiterate my Govern- ment's full support for his mission of good offices in the intercommunal talks. 188. The Government of Thrkey notes with much satis- faction that on 5 August 1981 [A/36/702] the 'I\.1rkisb Cypriot l3ide submitted comprehensive proposals on all as- pects of the problem. In search of a just and lasting set- tlement, these include proposals on the furore constitu- tional structure as well as on territory. It is particularly significant that the Thrkish Cypriot proposals on territory are embodied in a map. Thus the long-standing Greek Cypriot demand, that the Thrkish Cypriots should submit a map has ~een met. 190. Notwithstanding the fearful memories of the brutal past and of the days of oppression and discrimination they have experienced, the Turkish Cypriots in a bold move have offered to the Greek Cypriots reconciliation and part- nership. This is indeed a historic moment. It should not be allowed to slip away by those who succumb to policies of procrastination because of their lack of vision or their vested interest in the maintenance of the status quo. 191. The time is most propitious for the Greek Cypriot side to reciprocate with meaningful counter-proposals to enable the negotiating process to gain momentum towards a settlement. Such a solution, according to the well- known position of my Government, must ensure the fun- damental rights of the Turkish Cypriot community, which aspires to live side by side as an equal partner with the 'Greek Cypriot community in a bicommunal and bizonal State, which could wisely adopt a policy of non-align- ment if it so wished. . 192. In Cyprus there has been another encouraging de- velopment in the past year, namely, the agreement reached between the two communities to establish a committee for the investigation of the fate of missing persons. This shows that when the two sides act with patience and per- severance and refrain from polemics, progress is possible even in highly sensitive areas. That committee is expected to achieve real progress, provided that all parties act in conformity with the tenns of reference agreed upon. 193. A settlement of the Cyprus problem would no doubt greatly improve the atmosphere in the relations be- tween Turkey and Greece, which have special links with the two communities on the island and great stakes in a Cypriot settlement. They are not, however, directly in- volved in the intercommunal negotiating process. Theirs is a moral obligation to facilitate and encourage the inter- communal dialogue in any way they can. 194. On the other hand, Thrkey and Greece continue to be beset by serious problems in their bilateral relations. Since 1976 they have been engaged in a process of nego- tiation to resolve them. Thrkey, for its part, has done all it can to inject a conciliatory spirit into these negotiations. Despite the frustrating lack of progress in this dialogue so far, Thrkey will persevere in negotiations, hoping that eventually avenues will be opened for CQni.' nIctive results. But it is imperative that while the negotiating process is under way both parties exercise the utmost restraint. 195. The temptations to try for faits accomplis or uni- lateral. advantages should be strongly resisted if grave consequences are to be avoided. The rational path for both countries is to continue their dialogue with balanced perceptions, taking each other's interests into account. 196. There is a truly universal problem which has in recent years reached alarming and unprecedented levels. I am referring to international terrorism. Thtoughout the 197. A clarification is in order before I proceed, since the word "terrorism" can have different meanings fordif- ferent people. We certainly do not consider as terrorist activities the national liberation struggles recognized by the United Nations and international regional organiza- tions. We support the legitimate struggle of national liber- ation movements against all forms of colonialism, foreign occupation and oppression. Terrorism, as we understand it, involves those illegal ?cts directed against the social stability and territorial integrity of existing States. This type of terrorism aims at the disintegration of societies through chaos and anarchy~ 198. It is this scourge that has afflictec my country the past few years, shaking the very fabric of Turkish society and infiltrating all of its sectors and institutions. Thou- sands of innocent persons have fallen as its victims. Prior to September last year an average of 20 people had been losing their lives every day as a result of terrorist acts. Our social structure faced disintegration, while political life was totally paralysed. It was this anarchy and vio- lence which prompted the military intervention of 12 Sep- tember 1980. Since then, the overriding task of my Gov- ernment has been the fight against terrorism. 199. This fight is being carried on with perseverance. So far the achievement is as impressive as the disclosures are shocking. The illegal arms and ammunition captured have reached astonishing levels. By 15 August 1981 the number of small arms confiscated totalled 730,574, and over 5 minion rounds of ammunition had been seized. Confiscated illegal weapons even include rocket launchers and howitzers. Such a stock of arms and ~mmunition could easily equip an entire army. 200. We in Turkey are about to win this struggle against terrorism on such an incredible scale. Turkish society is once again free from fear and enjoying its basic right-- the right to life.' But our findings clearly indicate that terrorism of this magnitude could not have been organized with only domestic means and resources. In fact, terror- ism in Turkey was financed and supported clandestinely from abroad. As long as violence is backed by one or more foreign States, there will be other societies in the future which will also be victimized. 201. Intel11ational terrorism is a threat not only to indi- vidual countries but also to the orderly conduct of inter- national relations. Assaults against diplomats and diplo- matic missions around the world have become frequent occurrences. Turkish diplomats have been the foremost targets of brutal acts of terrorism. Only. last week the Thrkish Consulate in Paris became the most recent target of a violent attack by terrorists. This senseless act resulted in a tragedy involving the murder of an official and the wounding of a diplomat. 202. General Assembly resolution 35/168, on the pro- tection of diplomatic and consular agents and premises, is an important step. We hope that this resolution will pro- vide for the beginning of comprehensive international co- operation. Thrkey reaffirms its readiness to provide full co-operation for the adoption of effectivemeasures for t.'le me~sures, appropriate arrangements could be considered f01~ tae control of small-arms sales between private com- panies. 203. In this context I should like to touch upon the question of drug abuse, to which Turkey has always at- tached primary importance. The problem 6.rectly con- cerns the social stability and national security of nations. It has reached alarming levels and should no longer be tolerated. We have repeatedly drawn the attention of the international community to the threat posed by drug abuse and called fQJ; concerted action against this evil. As we have said on many occasions, there are strong links be- tween arms smuggling and drug trafficking. There are strong indications that the same underground organiza- tions are engaged in both activities. 204. It is with these considerations in mind that we wel- come the inclusion in the agenda of an item proposed by Bolivia, entitled "International campaign against traffic in drugs" [item 129]. We believe that the United Nations should look into this problem in all its aspects, with par- ticular reference to the links between arms smuggling and illicit traffic in drugs. . 205. Relations between East and West have suffered set- backs in -recent years. At a time when the over-all East- West relationship is very strained, it is of particular im- portance to revive the process of negotiations on arms control and disarmament. For these negotiations, if suc- cessfUl, can enhance ser;urity at lower levels of armame~ts and, at the same time, help sustain the process of detente by providing tangible benefits through dialogue. 206. We therefore welcome the joint decision of the United States and the USSR, reached during last week's meeting between Secretary of State Haig and Foreign Minister Gromyko, to begin negotiations on nuclear arms later in the year. We hope that these talks will pave the way for the IimUation and substantial reduction in tactical nuclear forces as well as in strategic nuclear arms. 207. Another component of the dialogue between the East and the West is the follow-up to the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Co-operation in Eu- rope. Turkey earnestly hopes that it will prove feasible to achieve an agreement in Madrid on a balanced and sub- stantial concluding document, including a mandate for a European disarmardent conference. This proposed con- ference in Europe could be a major qualitative step in the process of confidence-building, which is indispensable for successful disarmament efforts. 208. I should like to state once again our objectives in the field of arms control. We strongly favour the con- tinuation of the talks on str':tegic nuclear arms. We sup- port the efforts for the achievement of a multilateral com- prehensive test-ban treaty. We attach importance to the conclusion of a convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons. We endorse the evolution of an effective non- 209. Turkey remains committed to those objectiv.es. Thr- key is also eager to bring its contribution to the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disar- mament. We expect that session to produce tangible pro- gress by facilitating world-wide disarmament negotiations, defining the conceptual framework for those negotiations and setting the criteria and principles for carrying out the important preparatory work. 210. The complex situation in the Middle East continues to be of central concern to the entire international com- munity. It contains an explosive potential for a conflict _ threatening world peace. By virtue of its geographical lo- cation as well as its historical close·ties with the countries of the region, Thrkey has been following with particular concern the increasing tensions in the area. From this ros- trum, Turkey has on several occasions made clear its firm stand on the question of Pdlestine, which constitutes the core of the Middle East conflict. I want to reaffirm that we consider the following elements to be indispensable for a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement: with- drawal of Israel from all the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Al Quds Al Sharif; recognition and realization of the inalienable rights of the Pdlestinian peo- ple, including their right to establish an independent State in their own territory; the right of every State in the re- gion to live within secure and recogni~ed boundaries; the participation of the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Pdlestinian people, in;;.all peace efforts on an equal footing with the other interested parties to the conflict; and the maintenance of the Arab and Islamic character of the Holy City of Al Quds Al St.arif, and the rejection of the arbitrary unilateral change in its status, which is a flagrant violation of international law. 211. It is encouraging that the countries of the region are displaying fresh interest in and eagerness for a com- prehensive settlement, which is long overdue. The plan recently put forward by the Government of Saudi Arabia is a case in point. The overall positive reaction it has received in the region reaffirms that the Arab countries are prepared to seek a just peace. 212. In addition, the efforts of the European Commu- nity for a comprehensive settlement are commendable. If pursued, they promise to make valuable contributions to the quest for peace. We were gratified to hear last week [8th meeting] from Lord Carrington, the current President of the Council of Ministers of the European Community, that the members of the Community will pursue their efforts energetically to promote a peaceful settlement. 213. Yet if all those efforts are to be given a chance, there must be a fundamental change in the present pol- icies of the Government of Israel. In the course of t.he past year it has become all the more evident that Israeli policies based on aggression, intransigence and arrogance constitute the principal source of tension and instability in the Middle East. [n a demonstration of incredible short- sightedness, Israel recklessly imperils its avowed objective of living peace~(Jlly with its neighbours. No nation has ever been able to attain security for itself through the an- nexation of territory, the denial of the rights of others and 215.. Indeed, the Israeli intervention in Lebanon tremen- dously complicates the fragile and tenuous situation in that country. Turkey believes that an end to the human suffering in Lebanon can only be sec:.!red within a frame- work that would ensure the unity, independence, sov- ereignty and territorial integrity of that country. We wel- come and support the valuable work of the quadripartite committee of the League of Arab States towards that ob.;. jective. The cease-fire in southern Lebanon has been a positive achievement. We hope' that all parties will co- operate with UNIFIL to enable it to carry out its mandate in southern Lebanon. 216. The ongoing war between Iraq and Iran constitutes another threat to peace and security in the region. Those countries are our n.eighbours, with whom we have histor- ical ties of friendship, and we feel distressed to see them remain engaged in armed hostility. The war offers nothing other than more suffering, damage and destabilization. It must, therefore, be brought to a sp~edy end. Turkey has maintained strict neutrality with regard to the conflict. We have shown the utmost care to observe that neutrality and will continue to do so. We have also taken an active part in the multilateral efforts to bring about a reconciliation between our two neighbours within the Peace Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. We shall pursue those efforts. We appreciate the parallel initiatives of the Secretary-General as well as those of non-aligned countries in search of peace between Iran and Iraq. 217.. In the face of turmoil and disunity in the area, the formation of the Gulf Co-operation Council has been a most timely initiative. Turkey fully supports the objectives of its founding members in this undertaking. 218. The tragic situation in Afghanistan is a source of particular concern and distress for Turkey. Turks have en- joyed a common history, traditional friendship and frater- nal bonds with the Afghan people. We strongly wish that their tragedy would soon come to an end. Howeve'r, the situation created by outside intervention in Afghanistan in breach of the Charter of the United Nations remains un- changed. It poses a serious threat to regional and global . peace and stability. Turkey believes that only a political solution can be found to this crisis. Such a s~ttlement should restore to 'the Afghan people their righi to self- government and ensure the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country, as well as the cessation of all foreign interference. There have been several recent efforts to achieve a solution. We support the initiatives of the Islamic Conference, the European Community and the Secretary-General in this field. 219: The pressing problems in southern Africa still ~walt solution. A~ a founding member of the United Na- tIons Council for Namibia, Thrkey follows the. prevailing 221. In South Africa itself, the Pretoria regime persists in its policy of apartheid in total disregard of the insisteht demands of the international community. It has in fact stepped up its policy of bantustanization. It is dismaying that the trends in South Africa promise only accelerating violence and further conflict. That situation poses a dan- ger to peace and stability in the region. In line with our traditional stand against all forms of oppression and dis- crimination, we shall continue to advocate the adoption of further effective sanctions against the racist minority re- gime in South Africa. 222. Turkey hfS also condemned the South African ag- gression against Angola. It is a violation of the sov- ereignty and territorial integrity of that country, involving loss of life, human suffering and material damage. 223. Kampuchea is another international issue which continues to elude a settlement. The Kampuchean ques- tion requires a comprehensive political solution that would enable its people to choose their Government without co- ercion or intervention from outside. 224. The International Conference on Kampuchea held last July has provided a new impetus. Turkey regards the Declaration of that Conference4 as a practical and s.ound basis for n settlement. 225. I should like to express our appreciation for the efforts of the humanitarian agencies which are doing their utmost to help the Kampuchean people and the refugees. Their admirable work has helped to alleviate much of the suffering. Improvement in the humanitarian conditions can help in tackling the political problems. 226. We are all aware of the immense challenge the world is facing in the economic field. Its dimensions are not only economic but human,. social and political as well. When we speak of a more just worJd economic order we do so in the firm knowledge that if we fail to achieve it in a reasonable span of time, the ensuing ten- sion and confrontations will fatally undermine the pros- pects of international peace: and co-operation. 228. The negative effects of these unfavourable trends in tj'te world economy are no doubt felt acutely in the developing countries. Trade between developing and de- veloped countries-this most dynamic and positive fea- ture of the world economy during the last decade-has been severely limited. In this context we note with grow- ing concern that impo:t restrictions, as well as such pol- icies as subsidies, export credits and other protectionist mechanisms, have become increasingly widespread. In our view the developed countries should try to resolve their sectoral problems through restructuring rather than protectionist measures. It is· in this way that all countries could be fUlfy integrated into a multilateral trade system. 229. Another weakness in the economies of the develop- ing countries is the increase in their foreign debt burden caused by their growing balance of payments deficits, high interest rates and interest rate fluctuations. The prob- lem could be alleviated hy recycling the surplus of oil exporting countries and by strengthening the compensa- tory mechanism of the ex;'sting financial institutions. We commend the step already taken in this direction by some members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries [OPEC], in particular Saudi Arabia. 230. The world economy is moving inevitably towards interdependence. This constitutes an opportunity for com- mon progress towards more fairly shared prosperity. In order to ensure world-wide economic security, interna- tional co-operation should be strengthened in a global context in which the mutual interests and responsibilities of the developed and developing countries could better"be defined, harmonized and promoted. We believe, there- fore, that we should provide a new momentum to the North-South dialogue, which is now stalled. We hope that the North-South meeting in Cancun will pave the way for a new determination to tackle all of the vital problems of the world economy, reaffirm the need for co-operation on a global scale, and lead to the beginning of global .nego- tiations. 231. In this context, we should like to commend the invaluable efforts of the President of the thirty-fifth ses- sion of the General Asse,!TIbly, Mr. von Wechmar. 232. We are pleased to see that progress has been made, particularly in two major areas relating to development issues. 233. The conclusion of the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, held at Nai- robi last month, should have a significant bearing on the search for global solutions to energy problems that affect the developed and developing countries alike. We wel- come the Programme of Action adopted at the Con- ference. S However, it is not enough that a Progrmme of Action has been successfully produced at that Conference. A reasonable way of financing it should ensue if we want the Programme to get off the ground. 235. The increasing vulnerability of the world economy calls for substantial and structural solutions. To restrict the issues to food, energy and macro-economic balances will not be sufficient. The world economy requires wide- ranging global structural measures rather than remedies of a partial and sectoral nature. 236. On the other hand, several developing countries are suffering economic bottlenecks while seeking urgent solu- ' tions to their problems. The agenda of the global negotia- tions should, therefore, encompass all the aspects of the process of a new world economic order. The breakthrough can come only when the economic growth of the develop- ing countries is considered as an essential element in the sustained development of the rich nations and their inter- ests are regarded as complementary and compatible, not conflicting and irreconcilable. 237. As a developing country Turkey has dealt with de- velopment issues ever since its foundation in 1923 and has accumulated valuable experience in this area. It is for this very reason that Turkey feels great sympathy for the developing countries and supports them fully in their fight to eradicate poverty. 238. In the same spirit, over the years Thrkey has wholeheartedly given its support to many of the initiatives taken within UNCTAD and has contributed to the realiza- tion of many of them, such as the Generalized System of Preferences, the Integrated Programme for Commodities, and the Common Fund. 239. Another field to which Turkey attaches great impor- tance is economic co-operation among developing coun- tries. Against the background of bleak world economic conditions, there is no doubt that progress reached in this area would contribute immensely to the solution of many of the problems confronting these countries. 240. Turkey has been quite active in this field, both within the framework of UNCTAD, .in particular within the framework of the Conference on Economic Co-opera- tion among Developing Countries, and of GATT, and be- lieves that the Organization of the Islamic Conference is one of the appropriate forums where such co-operation can be meaningfully pursued. 241. We are resolved to participate in and contribute to the greatest extent possible to such endeavours among the developing ccuntries. 242. As the thirty-sixth session of the General Assem- bly gets under way, we in Thrkey are celebrating the cen-

I should like at the outset, on behalf of the delegation of Zaire and on my own behalf, to offer Mr. Kittani my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of his election as President of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly. This sign of confidence is a tribute to his competence, to his sense of responsibility, to his perfect knowledge of the workings of the United l'Jations and to his country. His devotion to the ideals of the United Nations and his vast experience of international problems are in our view of singular value for the success of our deliberations. . 244. We wish to assure him of the full co-operation of the delegation of zaire in the discharge of the very deli- cate and complex mission with which he has been en- trusted. 245. I should also like to take this opportunity to pay a well-deserved tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Rtidiger von Wechmar, for the skill and patience with which he con- ducted the debates of the Assembly at its thirty-fifth ses- sion and for the efforts he made to narrow diverging posi- tions on the world problems of the moment, and particularly on global negotiations. 246. I cannot fail to mention the action undertaken by the Secretary-General, for the maintenance of interna- tional peace and security and the promotion of the ideals of the United Nations in a decidedly difficult international situation in which the very principl~s of tl',;; Organization have sometimes been seriously challenged. 247.' I wish to express to him our appreciation of the clarity of his report [A/36/1] and the lucidity of his analy- sis of the international situation. Undoubtedly this has been a valuable contribution to the enrichment of our de- liberations. 248. Since its creation in 1945 the Organization has been constantly enriched by the free accession of new Member States, testifying to its dynamism and tlle justice of its ideals. The admission of Vanuatu and Belize as the one hundred fifty-fifth and one hundred fifty-sixth Mem- bers is stliking proof of this. My delegation welcomes the admission of those two new Members and, in welcoming them to the United Nations, assures them of our friend- ship and co-operation. 249. This session of the General Assembly has opened in a tense international climate, characterized by distrust, pessimism and anxiety. Indeed, mankind is at the present time going through one of the most critical periods in its history. 250. In the political sphere, the spirit of confrontation, violence, the use of force and interference in the internal affairs of other States tend to put their stamp..on interna- tional relations, to the detriment of the principles of 252. In the economic sphere, the persistent refusal of the developed countries to embark upon the structural and institutional changes necessary for the restructuring' and democratization of international economic relations, the acute deterioration of the terms of trade, inflation, unem- ployment, protectionism, and so on, have helped to bring about a dramatic worsening of the crisis. We can never repeat sufficiently that the present international economic order, based on exploitation and injustice, is fundamen- tally inadequate and unsuitable. This crisis is not a mere cyclical phenomenon but rather the manifestation of a profound disruption of the structures of the present inter- national economic system, which is no longer able effec- tively- to respond to -theneeds~ either-ofthe4eve!oping countries or of the industrialized developed countries themselves. 253. In this period of interdependence, the exploitation, domination and poverty of peoples in one part of the world cannot for long coexist with peace, brazen afflu- ence and prosperity in other parts of the world, especially if there is a deep-seated feeling that the resoUrces of the poor have br-en exploited to create the prosperity of the rich. 254. We believe., therefore, that it is time to undertake large-scale international action under United Natlonsaus- pices to find a comprehensive solution to the problems affecting our planet, unless we wish to contront a more serious world crisis with unforeseeable consequences. 255. There has been no positive progress on the many problems of major concern which were debated at the thirty-fifth session. On the contrary, many of them have worsened. 256. The questbn of the Middle East and Palestine has been of concern to the United Nations since the Organiza- tion's creation. In spite of many General Assembly ses- sions, meetings of the Security Council and relevant United Nations resolutions, the chances of a comprehen- sive, just and lasting settlement of the conflict have been compromised by the denial of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the persistence of Israers policies of aggression, occupation and annexation of Arab territo- ries. 257. There is no shadow of doubt that Israel derives its arrogance from the political, economic and military sup- port that it receives from certain great Powers. My dele- gation believes that the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region necessarily involves: the Withdrawal of Israel from the Arab territories occupied in 1967; the right to existence of each State in the region, as well 'as its right to live in peace within secure, recognized bor- ders, free from threats or acts of force; respect for and recognition of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and po- litical independence of each State in the region; respect 258. An of that implies direct negotiations between the parties involved and the cessation of any state of war in the region. It is in that spirit that we have supported Egypt's peace efforts, which we l"egard as an important step in the search for a pee.cefui solution to the conflict. In the same spirit we consider, without prejudice to the other relevant resolutions, tha~ Security Council resolution 242 (1967), which defined the guiding principles for a comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict, com- plements General Assembly resolution 181 (11), of 29 November 1947, on',the creation of a Jewish State of Pal- estine and an Arab State of Palestine, and resolution 194 (Ill) of 11 December 1948. 259. The Republic of Zaire reaffirms its complete sup- port for the prind91e of the inadmissibility of the acquisi- tion of territory by force. 260. The persistence of the Middle East CflGlS has caused new dangers and threats to the peace, indepen- dence and integrity of other States in the region. Lebanon, which has already been sapped by a fratricidal war between Christians and Moslems, has for some time Iive4 with the spectre of its own destruction. The interna- , tional communit)' cannot view with indifference the dis- memberment of a Member Sta\-.. That is why my delega- tion considers that all Member States have the duty to strive to safeguard the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, which have been seriously imper- iled. 267. Sirice ,1945 the colonial Powers, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, have pledged ·,.themselves ,to guarantee the political advancement of the peoples in the colonial territori~s and to develop their ability to govern themselves. Since its creation the United Nations has ceaselessly worked for respect for the right of peoples to self-determination and independence, taking account of their own aspirations and the overriding impor- tance of their own interests. 261. The violation of the territorial integrity of Iraq and the Israeli act of aggression against the Iraqi nuclear in- stallation at Tamuz, which is regularly monitored by IAEA, marked a new stage in the escalation of violence and in the worsening of tension in the region. Zaire vig- orously condemns that act of aggression, for which Israel was entirely res,ponsible. 262. In the same region, for almost a year another war has pitted against each other two Moslem countries that are members of tne non-aligned movement-Iraq and Iran. The Zaire delegation eXl?resses the wish that there would soon be a peaceful settlement of this conflict. In this regard, it welcomes the efforts by the Secretary-Gen- eral and by other organizations to bring about the restora- tion of peace and understanding bt.~tween these two brother States. 263. The situation in Afghanistan and in Kampuchea continues to preoccupy international opinion. The Re- public of Zaire is duty-bound to recall that the search for lasting solutions to those conflicts must include respect for General Assembly resolutions 34/22, 35/6 and 35/37, which reaffirmed the following principles: non-interven- tiCin and non-interference in the internal affairs of States; non-recourse to the use of force in international relations; the pe:aceful settlement of disputes; respect for the ter- ritona} integrity, political independence and sovereignty of 265. In the Korean peninsula there has been permanent tension for 36 years, following the division of that coun- try by the victors in the Second World War. My delegaft tion thinks that it is primarily for the Korean people themselves to resolve this problem by a direct dialogue between the North and the South, free from any outside pressure. However, in the interests of peace and detente the United Nations should take new action to create con- ditions favourable to a resumption of negotiations between the two parties. Indeed, we remain convinced that such negotiations are the only practical way to achieve a peace- ful solution to all the problems resulting from the division of the country and to promote a relaxation of tension in that part of the world. In accordance with our policies, Zaire has recognized the two Koreas and maintains with both excellent relations of friendship and co-operation. 266. As regards Cyprus, resumption of the intercommu- nal talks seems to us to be a basic condition for bringing about a just and equitable solution to the crisis in that country. The United Nations, through the Secretary-Gen- eral, should continue its efforts to help the two commu- nities find a basis of understanding and to create the con- ditions fo(a return to peace. 268. General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), of 14 De- cember 1960, which contains the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peo- ples, solemnly proclaimed the need to put a speedy end to colonialism and all practices of segregation and dis- crimination throughout: the world. 269. More than 20 years later, we are happy to note ~~at a number of colonial territories have acceded to indepen- dence and now swell the ranks of the United Nations, thus helping it to fulfil its universal vocation. This is an undoubted success, to the credit of the Organization. Un- fortunately, there are still some blots on this picture, par- ticularly in southern Africa, where a handful of white racists continue, despite international condemnation, to practise an abject policy which has been universally con- demned as a crime against humanity, to deprive the black majority of the South African population of their most elementary rights, illegally to occupy Namibia and to deny the inhabitants of that Territory their right to self- determination, freedom and independence. 271. The Republic of Zaire considers that Security Council resolution 435 (1978) is the only basis on which the Namibian question can be settled. It reaffirms the pri- mary responsibility of the United Nations from that Terri- tory since the termination of South Africa's Mandate in 1966. 272. The continued occupation of Namibia, the illegal nature of which has been recognized and reaffirmed by t~e Security Council, coupled with the denial of the fun- damental rights of the Namiliian people and the repeated acts of aggression by JSouth Africa against neighbouring States from occupied Namibi~, constitute a grave threat to international peace and seCUJ1ity. This amply justifies re- course to comprehensive and effective mandatory meas- ures to resto·re peace and stability to that region. 273. The Republic oi Zaire, whose geography and his- tory link it with sCdthern Africa, attaches great impor- tance to the establishment and maintenance of a climate of peace and stability in southern Afric? through the speedy a,=~e~sion to independence of Namibia in accord- ance with Security Council resolution 435 (1978). 274. Following the failure of the Geneva pre-implemen- tation meeting on the United Nations plan for Namibia, the Security Council should draw the appropriate conclu- sions from the recent International Conference on Sanc- tions against South Africa, held in Paris, and take all the necessary measures advocated by the General Assembly at its eighth emergency special session [resolution £5-8/2] on Namibia, including those prescribed in Chapter VII of the Charter, if South Africa continues to flout the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. In no circumstances could the Republic of Zaire sanction any approach that would tend to favour South Africa in the quest for a ne- gotiated solution of the Namibian question. 275. In this respect, Zaire reiterates its total support for the legitimate struggle being waged by SWAPO for the self-determination and independence of the Namibian peo- ple and vehemently condemns South Africa's repeated acts of aggression against neighbouring States, in particu- lar that recently perpetrated against its sister Republic of Angola. 276. Zaire appeals to all States Members of the United Nations to give concrete expression to their solidarity with the victims of South Africa's barbaric acts. We urge those countries which cor.tinue to support South Africa to observe the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and to cease all forms of collaboration with the illegal minor- ity regime of Pretoria. 277. The delegation of the RepUblic of. Zaire reaffirms its support·for the oppressed people of South Africa, as well as for the national liberation movements and the he- 279. We urge the international community to support the process of peaceful settlement which has begun and to refrain from any initiative that might jeopardize the effort that has been undertaken by the OAU. 280. One of the important issues of concern to the world in general and to the African continent in particular is undoubtedly the problem of refugees. Of the 10 million refugees who have been counted throughout the world, 5 million live in Africa, including almost 1 million in Zaire. Apart from the moral and physical suffering they endure, the hou~ing, placement and reclassification of those refugees place a heavy burden on the meagre. re- sources of our young States, which themselves are con- fronted by problems of development. 281. The delegation of Zaire welcomes the efforts that have been undertaken within the United Nations system, particularly by UNHCR, to find a comprehensive solution to this problem. The International Conference on As- sistance to Refugees in Africa, held last April at Geneva under United Nations auspices, enabled the international community to appreciate the gravity of this phenomenon and to decide on certain specific measures to assist Af- rican refugees. 282. The RepUblic of Zaire welcomes the spirit of soli- darity shown by some countries at that Conference and hopes that the international community will intensify. its efforts to alleviate the plight of African refugees. We must show imagination in our search for comprehesive so- lutions to this problem. 283. The deterioration of the climate of confidence in international relations and the search for a hypothetical balance of forces, which underlies all theories of deter- rence, maintain the infernal cycle of the arms race. If mankind is threatened with self-destruction it is certainly through a nuclear holocaust. Mankind has for some time been living under a permanent threat of annihilation be- cause of the proliferation of nuclear arms and other weap- ons of mass destruction which neither United Nations res- olutions nor fine-sounding declarations of intent by those who possess those weapons have been able to check. 284. Notwithstanding the proclamation of the first Dis- armament Decade [resolution 2602/E (XXIV)] and the Plan of Action adopted by' the Geneva Assembly at its tenth special session [see resolution ES-JO/2], which was de- voted to disarmament, little progress has been made be· cause of the lack of political will on the part of the great Powers. We feel that While disarmament is the concern of all States, the responsibility for halting and reversing the arms race rests first and foremost with the great Powers. 286. The proclamation by the United Nations of nu- clear-free zones has been an important contribution to the establishment of a climate of peace and security in the worrdlUnfortunately, in the African region the possession of the" nuclear weapon by South Africa-thanks to the collaboration of certain States Members of the United Na- tions-makes the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa void of meaning, because once South Africa, a State which is overtly hostile to a number of neighbouring African States, has the nuclear weapon there is no reason to prevent other African States ft<.Jzn having access to it for the purpose of self-defence. 287. The pos~ession of that weapon by a State which has no sense of respect for the customary rules of il1terna- tional conduct and international conventions and which continually ignores the resolutions adopted by the Organi- zation constitutes indeed a grave threat to peace and se- curity in Africa. 288. Thus the question of confidence-building measures in international relations becomes extremely important. General and complete disarmament under international control remains the basic condition for the establishment of an over-all climate of trust and reduction of the risks of tension throughout the world. 289. The Republic of Zaire has always approached the question of disarmament from the point of view of peace, security, confidence-building measures and development. Inde;,ed, it has been acknowledged that the arms race swal- lows up enmmous resources that could more usefully have been devoted to organizing progress and improving the living conditions of millions of human beings throughout the world. 290. As everyone knows, the world economy has re- cently been goj"'] thiough a particularly serious period of crisis unprecedented since the end of the Second World War. This crisis affects' all countries without distinction, whatever their levels of economic development. The deterioration of the terms of trade continues; industrial ac- tivity is practically stagnating; expansion of world trade has slowed down; payments imbalances have been accen- tuated; unemployment and underemployment continue to worsen, and the high rates- of inflation have not fallen. 291. The developing countries which do not export oil-in particular those of the African continent, eco- nomically· the least developed of all continents, the most dependent on the economies of the industrialized coun- tries and consequently the most vulnerable-have not achieved significant growth rates. 292. The deveioped countries continue to be the masters of world trade and manipulate at will the prices of raw materials, keeping them at an abnormally low level to the detriment of the commodity-exporting countries. The gap between the purchasing power of the export earnings of those countries and the cost of the goods imported from developed countries grows ever wider, and everything in- 294. The International Development Strategy for tlie Third United Nations Development Decade [resolution 35/56] emphasizes the urgency of measures which would speedily eliminate all obstacies to the economic liberation of developing countries and help launch a series of global negotiations for the 1980s. 295. The delegation of Zaire deplores the lack of pro- gress in launching the global negotiations and the failure of the work of the eleventh special session of the General Assembly, which it ascribes to the absence of political will by the industrialized countries, which have not hon- oured the commitments they undertook in respect of inter- national co-operation and the establishment of the new in- ternational economic order. it is highly regrettable that Governments which a few years ago undertook to pro- mote the cause of development'.have not met the hopes placed in them. It is to be hoped that the major indus- trialized countries, in accordance with the communique issued at the end of the summit meeting held at Ottawa,' will in the future be l\;ady to participate in the preparation of a mutually acceptable process for global negotiations in conditions in which significant progress can be made, fol- lowing the meeting to be held at Cancnn. 296. The Republic of Zaire has opted for frank co-oper- ation with mu~ual advantage to North and South and at- taches great importance to overcoming the obstacles blocking the North-South dialogue and to the launching of global negotiations to bring about a new spirit in inter- national economic relations. 297. In the sphere of international trade, while there is reason to welcome the progress made within UNCTAD, particularly as far as the AgIcement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities8 and the agreements on cocoa, tin and natural rubber are concerned, it is yet true that as regards the complete implementation of resolution 93 (IV) on the Integrated Programme for Commodities adopted by UNCTAD at Nairobi9-a resolution which was supported by all Member States-and negotiations on the adoption of a code of conduct for the transfer of tech- nology, there is still a lack of political will on the part of the developed countries. Much still remains to be done. 298. In order to increase the value of commodities, sta- bilize prices and guarantee a remunerative and stable in- come to the producers, but especially to enable UNCTAD to accomplish its primary mission and really help the efforts of the developing countries, we urge the developed countries to relinquish their egoism and prevarication and adhere resolutely .to the principle of international soli- darity. 300. If there is an area in which the Republic 'of Zaire needs special assistance from the international commu- nity, as has been recognized by the Economic and Social Council, UNCTAD and the General Assembly, it is that of transport infrastructure. 301. General Assembly resolutions 341193 and 35/59 and resolution 1981/68, adopted at the second regular ses- sion for 1981 of the Economic and Social Council, relat- ing to the specific problems of Zaire in the field of trans- port, transit and access to international markets require particularly urgent attention. The delegation of. Zaire hopes that the report of the Secretary-General on the im- plementation of those resolutions will help to speed up the quest for a solutipn to this problem. 302. Co-operation between developing countries is a re- quirement for the installation of the new international eco- nomic order. That is why all States Members of the United Nations and agencies within the United Nations system should support the Programme of Action adopted by the I-Hgh Level Conference on Economic Co-operation among Developing Countries, held at Caracas [see A/36/333 and Corr.l], to promote the collective efforts of the developing countries, because strengthening this eco- nomic co-operation will help speed up the economic growth of these couniries and help lessen their depen- dence and their vulnerability with regard to the outside world. 303. Accordingly, the Lagos Plan of Action,'o which is part of the collective and individual programme for self- reliance of the Group of 77, deserves the support of the international community so that it can be immediately im- plemented. I should like to launch a solemn appeal to all States Members of the United Nations to give continuing support to the OAU in implementing this Plan. 304. The United Nations Conference on the Least De- veloped Countries, which has just concluded its work in Pclris, examined in depth the particular problems of the least developed countries, to which my country gives full support. We hope that the encouraging promises and the commitment undertaken by certain developed countries during this important Conference will be honoured. 305. Man has a duty to conserve and preserve nature, to maintain the balance of eco-systems, a balance necessary to ·his own survival. It is in this spirit that the General Assembly adopted resolution 35/7 on the draft World Charter for Nature, and invited Member States to conduct their &ctivities with regard for the supreme importance of the protection of natural systems, the maintenance of the balance and the quality of nature in the interests of pres- ent and future generations. 306. The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-seventh session unanimously adopted and the Assembly of Heads of State and Govern- ment endorsed, resolution CM/Res. 852 (X~VII) [see A/36/534, annex 1], which recommends the adoption by 307. This review of the major political and economic problems besetting our world would Pe. incomplete with- out a reference to the important question of the law of tbe sea, negotiations on which seem to have stalled. 308. Some questions on the .work programme of the tenth session of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which we had hoped would win a general consensus at the resumed Geneva session, have not yet been resolved. 309. For the developing countries which like us are land-based producers, it is vital that questions relating to production policies for, and to control of the exploitation of, the sea-bed and ocean floor should find a satisfactory solution. 310. It is appropriate here to emphasize that ilie sea-bed and the ocean floor are the common heritage of mankind and that their exploitation must take particular account of the interests of the developing countries. 311. Everyone knows that the sea-bed and ocean floor contain innumerable mineral resources in the form of polymetallic nodules containing cobalt. copper, nickel, manganese, 3k.J so forth, and that unplanned production would obviously be highly prejudicial to the interests'of the land-based countries which produce these same sub- stances and at th~ same time w~uld upset the international market structure and the prices of these products. 312. The delegation of Zaire voices the. Wish that ade- quate machinery will be found to safeguard the vital inter- ests of t..he developing countries which are land-ba:-,ed pro- ducers and that the draft Convention on the Law of the Sea will be adopted within the agreed time-frame. 313. These are the crucial problems to which the dele- gation of Zaire hopes the Assembly will give particular attention at its present session. ' 314. In the political sphere. we have stigmatized the cli- mate of general insecurity, uncertainty and growing disar- ray throughout the world, the violation of the customary norms of international conduct and of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the anns race. the expan- sionist ambitions of the great Powers and the escalation of conflicts throughout the world. 315. In the economic sphere, the aspirations of the countries of the third world have not yet been satisfied, the gap between the North and the South is becoming ever wider and the establishment of the 'new international economic order continues to meet with resistance on the part of the rich countries. 316. Notwithstanding this gloomy picture of humanity's prospects, I wish to reaffirm the staunch faith of the Re- public of Zaire in the ide81s and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which is an ideal framework for permanent conciliation and dialogue to bring about solu- 317. ,Mr. DONTSOP (United Republic of Cameroon) (interp~ltationfrom French~: The delegation of the United RepublIc of Cameroon, whIch I have the honour of lead- ing, is greatly pleased at the election of Mr. Kittani to the presidency of the thirty-sixth session of the General As- sembly. This success is certainly a tribute to his reputa- tion as a man and as a diplomat well-versed in interna- tional questions. It is also an honour to his country, Iraq, a member of'our great" family of non-aligned countries and one which enjoys relations of fruitful co-operation with my country. We are convinced that under his guid- ance our work will be successfully concluded., (\ 318. We are pleased also to take this opportunity to convey our thanks to his predecessor, Mr. von Wechmar, for the authority, competence and courage with which he conducted the work of the thirty-fifth session and of the emergency special session devoted to Namibia. 319. Lastly, I should like to pay a special and well-de- served tribute to the Secretary-General. My Government greatly appreciates the tireless efforts which he has con- stantly made with, such self-denial a~~ct discretion in the discharge of his difficult functions in the quest for an- swers to the many problems of our time. 320. We also welcome the accession of V:lDuatu to inde- pendence and national sovereignty and its admission as the ,one hundred fifty-fifth Member of the Organization. Cameroon had.the privilege of being involved in the deci- sive phase leading to the independence of that country, with which it has already laid foundations of fraternal co-: operation. 321. We are also pleased to congratulate Belize on its accession to independence and to extend to it a cordial welcome to the Organization. 322. The thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly is meeting at a time when the world situation gives rise to grave disquiet because of the resurgence of a spirit of con- frontation in East-West relations, distrust, general tension and uncertainty, which h~ve an impact on international peace and security_ 323. This dangerous pola;ization is detrimental to the essential principles of peaceful co-existence, mutual toler- ance and co-operation which are embodied in the Charter and from which flows the policy of non-alignment es- poused by my country and the great majority of the mem- bers of the international community. 324. This 4ntensive struggle for sjJheres of influence and raw materials downgrades and at the same time hinders the legitimate and long-thwarted aspir~tions of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America to better living condi- tions and full mastery of their destinies. 325. We need hardly recall here that their human di- mension and the weight of their natural wealth and eco- !"omic potential have become major realities of our age 326. Nevertheless,a ,strong trend in favour of that nec- essary change is encountering opposition from certain favoured nations which benefit from the crumbling pres- ent economic and monetary system. ' 327., A schematic analysis of the international economic environment shows that, despite projections indicating a slight improvement for certain countries, the global eco- nomic climate is still marred by the same oppositions~ growing conservatism and the stepping up of protectionist measures in the industrialized countries. The present" crisis has assumed unprecedented proportions, as can be shown from the growing imbalance in the balance of pay- ments, the substantial slowing down of activity and growth, the deterioration of the terms of trade, unemploy- ment and underemployment, inflation, the increased exter- nal indebtedness of the developing countries and alsl) the precariousness and insufficiency of food supplies. 328. The true victims of the crisis are the developing countries, whose fragile economles cannot be expected to recover in the immediate future. In that regard, the Secre- tary-General rightly observes in his exceIlent report on the work of the Organization: "In 1980 there was an actual decline in the per cap- ita incomes of a large majority of the developing coun- tries, and a further year of 'decline in 1981 cannot yet be ruled out . . . "Such a situation of stagnation or increasing poverty is absolutely unacceptable. It contains the seeds of widespread tension and unrest which constitute, in the final analysis, a threat to world peace and stability." [A/36/i, sect. Vi] 329. In the opinion of my delegation, the adoption of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, despite its weak- nesses and inadequacies, to which we have already had occasion to refer, could make an effective contribution to supporting the' efforts of the developing countries, pro- vided that its objectives are catalysed by the success of the global negotiaHons. 330. The launching of those negotiations, the principle of which was the subject of a consensus in resolution 341138, continues to be thwarted by the unjustified foot- dragging of a minority of industrialized countries which are thus showing their excessive devotion to the outmoded economic system in which we live. 331. The United Republic of Cameroon, for its part, re- affirms its support for. the proposal by the Group of 77 for a centralized system of negotiations open to participa- tion by all States, aimed at taking major decisions in all spheres: raw materials, trade, energy, food, monetary af- fairs, finance and developmenL 332. We strongly hope that the important initiatives un" dertaken this year at Caracas and Ottawa will be pursued in a new spirit at the forthcoming meeting in CaneDn. We hope that this will make it possible to get the North-South 333. The same spirit should, next spring in New York, inspire all the delegations to the Third United Nations COhference on the Law of the Sea, so as to make it possi- ble for those negotiations, which have lasted for more than eight years, to lead at long last to the concluding of a general agreement. We believe that the draft convention as it now stands represents the best compromise possible, that is, a "package deal" that will equitably preserve the interests of all, rich and poor, and best protect the princi- ple of the sea as the common heritage of mankind. 334. The present deterioration of the process of detente is having harmful consequences in Africa for the efforts to resolve the problems of Namibia, apartheid and racial discrimination. Now more than ever the essential features of these problems are basically distorted in the sense that the great Powers are relegating to the sidelines the noble ideas of liberty and dignity for which the peoples con- cerned are struggling, in favour of the hegemonistic rival- ries or what is often now called the "strategic consen- sus". 335. This perception of things, which should be de- nounced, is at the origin of the deadlock and confusion now existing in respect of the question of Namibia. The attempts at absorption made by South Africa are particu- larly significant. The Pretoria regime is making use of this highly abusive attempt in order to continue to oppose the implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia, which it nevertheless did solemnly accept, and to multiply its aggressive acts against neighbouring coun: tries. 336. This attitude on the part of the racist regime is un- fortunately being supported by some of those very Powers which worked to elaborate and adopt the aforementioned settlement plan and which under the Charter of the United Nations have special responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. 337. The Namibian problem, it must be recalled, is es- sentially a problem of decolonization which should be ex- amined in relation to General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and the peaceful solution of which lies in the imme- diate implementation of resolution 435 (1978) of the Se- curity Council. In that regard, while we welcome the re- cent declaration of the five members of the Western contact group reaffirming their determination to continue their efforts to reach a prompt and peaceful solution of the Namibian problem, we hope that these initiatives will not in any sense overshadow the role of the United Na- tions, the sole legal authority in Namibia, or deny the Namibian people its inalienable right to the free choice of its national institutions. 338. We reite~te our solidarity with the front-line States and in particular the People's Republic of Angola, whose determination to secure the triumph of the noble cause of liberation of the African continent from the last bastion of colonialism, apartheid and racial discriminati~ has not 340. The efforts of the international community aimed at the complete eradication of this scourge' are constantly thwarted by new measures of radicalization of the apartheid system, adopted and applied with completeim- punity by South Africa with the connivance of powerful foreign interests. 341. For some time now we have seen certain Powers bound to South Africa by economic and geostrategic in- terests making an extremely dangerous assessment of the situation in southern Africa which tends to minimize the persistence of apartheid and racial discrimination. We should therefore not be astonished at the numerous at- tempts to rehabilitate South Africa internationally. 342. It is necessary to denounce this trend, the purpose of which is to divert the attention of the international community from the cruel reality of the situation.prevail- ing in the land of apartheid. Such attempts to undermine our efforts can but add to the sacrifices and suffering of the oppressed people of South Africa. 343. Our Organization, which has already condemned apartheid as a crime against humanity, has a duty to re- affirm and increase its support for the struggle being waged by the South African people in the name of human dignity. In this respect everything must be done to ensure that the measures hitherto adopted by the intematiQnal community to combat apartheid and raciaJ. discrimination are effectively applied by all States. 344. Despite the oft-expressed desire of the Africarh Governments to devote themselves to economic and soci~ll development, as evidenced by the session of the Assem- bly of Heads of State and Government of the Organiza!liora of African Unity he;d last year at Lagos on economic matters, we must realize tL~ the political situation an our continent remains a matter of concern and constitutes an obstacle to the achievement of this fundamental objective. 345. As the stake in the East-West rivalrles~ which take the form of destabilizing manoeuvres and the multiplica- tion and perpetuation of focal points of tension, Africa is thus despite itself drawn into a web of circumstances in which the objectives of development and economic co- operation. are increasingly sacrificed to security needs. It is to be feared that if this situation-which, moreover, is exacerbated by the world economic crisis-were to per- sist, the independence of our States would be jeopar- dized. 346. For our part, we believe that it is of the greatest urgency to reverse this trend by a new approach to the problems of our continent based to a greater extent on the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, respect for independence, sovereignty and ter- ritorial integrity, relations of good-neighbourliness, peace- 347. In this connection we are pleased to welcome once agai~lthe dynamic solidarity recently expressed by the in- ternational community at the first International Con- ference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa, held at Gen- eva. It goes without saying that the results of that meeting will help relieve the suffering of the 5 million men and women who are the victims of conflicts and calamities of all kinds. That conference is an appreciable first step in the mobilization of efforts to solve the disturbing problem of refugees. 348. The sitUation in the Middle East remains unstable and potentially explosive because of the persistence of the climate of hatred, tension and armed confrontation which has kept the countries of the area in turmoil for more than three decades. Last June the Security Council emphasized the danger of such a state of affairs by unanimously adopting resolution 487 (1981), condemning the destruc- tion of Iraq's nuclear installation by Israeli forces. 349. If the conflict raging in that extremely sensitive area is to be prevented from becoming a world-wide ca- tastrophe, it is of the highest importance that we all abide by the principles of the Charter concerning the peaceful , settlement of disputes and that all parties agree at last to apply the numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. 350. This means, first of all, that Israel, which like the other States of the area has the right to live in pe~ce within secure and internationally recognized boundaries, should withdraw from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and recognize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, represented by the PLO, including its right to a homeland in Arab Palestine. 351. The United Republic of Cameroon is convinced that it is high time for the voice of reason and realism to be heard by all the parties which are confronting each other in this region with increasingly impressive military arsenals. They must realize that violence is essentially predatory and. futile and that the path to peace and pros- perity is necessarily thro~h negotiation and co-operation. 352. It is also to negotiation that the Governments of Iraq.and Iran should have recourse to put an end to the armed conflict in which they have been involved for over a year, causing their peoples untold suffering and sacri- fice. We earnestly hope that the leaders of the two coun- tries will take account of the urgent appeal of the interna- tional community and respond favourably to th~ mediation efforts of the United Nations, the non-aligned countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to return to peace·. This also means that the great Powers must show restraint and refrain from any interference in this conflict. Indeed, we know full well how regional dis~ putes can get bogged d<;>wn in .increasing complexities QS soon as the antagonistic ambitions of the great Powers and their hegemonistic rivalries are introduced. 354. Such an opportunity should also be extended to the Afghan people, in keeping with the wishes frequently ex- pressed by the international community. We are following with interest the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative to identify the elements of Q f-"ace- ful solution of this question, which is of the greatest con- cern to the international community becau:.e it so gravely jeopardizes d~i:ente and, indeed, concerns the very es- sence of the Charter. 355. My country's well-known dedication to the princi- ples of good-neighbourliness, the non-use of force in in- ternational relations and the peaceful settlement of dis- putes dictates its attitude in respect of this problem. 356. Our loyalty to these principles leads us to reiterate our appe~l to. the ,divided peoples of Cyprus and Korea with a view to the resumption and pursuit of a construc- tive dialogue free from any foreign interference. 357. It is impossible to over-emphasize the extent to which the proliferation and persistence of these regional conflicts, which further the ambitions of the super~ Powers, hinder economic and social co-operation, while fuelling the arms race. 358. The deterioration of detente by virtue of height- ened East~West rivalry in the last two years has halted, if not reversed, the efforts made previously to promote the process of general and complete disarmament under effec- tive international control through the implementation of specific measures such as the reduction of military bud- gets, particularly those of the great Powers, and the al- location of the resources thus released to assistance to de~ veloping countries. In respect of strategic arms limitations, the indefinite postponement of the ratification of the SALT 11 treaty and of the consultations on the launching of negotiations on SALT III are very much a part of the hardening attitude shown by the general in- crease in defence bUdgets, the growth of which this year has reached a level rarely equalled in peace time. 359. Furthermore, because of the uncertainty, tensions, instability and conflicts that characterize the situation in the third world, the need for security is leading those States also to allocate large sums to military expenditure. 360. My country hopes that the second special session of the Assembly devoted to disarmament, to be held in 361. In this connection. we would like to see a strength- ening of the role of the United Nations. whose. primary mission is to conttibute to the safeguarding of interna- tional peace and security. This means that the Organiza- tion must be granted ever-increasing means. that its organs, structure and functioning must be constantly im- proved and revitalized, and that it must be able to rely on the firm, declared political will of its Members, especially those on which the Charter places special responsibilities in international relations. 362. It is urgently necessary, then, to give effect to our frequently expressed wish for a democratization of inter- national relations to promote the creation of conditions that will ensure equal participation by all States in the functioning and decision-making process of United Na- tions organs. I 363. Because of its universal vocation the United Na- tions-which is, above all, a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends-provides the sole forum for conciliation and di- alogue in which States great and small. rich and poor, can, with mutual respect for their differences, work to- gether for the common good of man. 364. That is why the United Republic of Cameroon, which firmly believes in the ideals of peace, justice and freedom, which are the primary conditions of all eco- nomic and social development and of the well-being of all peoples, reaffirms its faith in the Organization and its de- termination to make the most effective contribution it can to the att3inment of these noble objectives.

I now call on those delegations which have requested to speak in exercise of their right to reply.

On this date, 28 September, in 1960, the Com- mittees for the Defence of the Revolution were born in Cuba as our people's response to the aggression, sabotage and threats of the imperialists and their servants. 1\venty- one years later, the Cuban people are stronger and more determined to defend their revolution and repel any ag- gression. 367. Last week the United States press reported the United States Government's decision to launch a new act of aggression against Cuba in the form of the establish- ment of a radio s~ation devoted to broadcasting all kinds of progranllffies aimed at sowing discord within Cuba and at destabilizing our Government. 368. This is one more act of aggression, further evi- del~ce of the provocative and aggressive attitude of the . United States Government. 369. We can only say that the United States should have no illusions about the results of this new violation of the norms of international relations. Cuba will'nQt draw back; Cuba will not be frightened; Cuba will repel\all aggres- sion; Cuba will remain neither silent nor passive. 371. As long as the United States Government main- tains its present position, the work of the United Nations and the Organization itself will be in a state of crisis, for it is not possible for co-operation and dialogue to coexist in the world with the hegemonistic and warmongering policies of that Government. 372. In our statement [l2th meeting] we mentioned those who, in one bag, are being led by the hand'by the imperialists: Stroessner, Pinochet. Herrera CampCns. Their reply to our words showed them together again, masters and servants. As our national poet Nicolas Quillen would say, one commanding, the others commanded. 373. The representative of the United States referred to only one of the charges made by our delegation without . replying to the essential aspect of our challenge. We therefore consider that he admits the validity of our other ch&rges. . 374. With respect to the allegation he £ought to refute, we reiterate the facts provided by WHO, to the ~ffec~ that neither in the 30 countries of Asia, Africa and Latial America where more than 20,000 Cuban civilian techni- cians are working, nor in those where our internationalist combatants are giving assistance to non-aligned countries, does there exist virus No. 2 which causes haemorrhagic dengus fever. 375. We are still waiting for the reply of the United States Government to the challenge of President Fidel Castro on 26 July of this year, which was reiterated be- fore this Assembly [ibid.1, to state whether the central Intelligence Agency has been forbidden to use biological warfare against Cuba. Let them answer. Let them say that it has been forbidden or silently admit their infamy. 376. Yankee neo-colonial domination left us with a semi-feudal economy, with 600,000 unemployed, I mil- lion illiterate adults and a life expectancy of 55 years. In the last 20. years we have suffered military invasions, an economic blockade by the United States which included food and medicine, sabotage of all kinds, and now the use of biological warfare. 377. In spite of these aggressions, unemployment and illiteracy have been .wiped out in Cuba. All children go to . school,and we graduate more university students in one year than the total number of students in all of Cuba 22 years ago. We have a doctor for every 622 inhabitants. and life expectancy has risen to over 70 years. 379. On the basis of information contained in the inter- national publications dealing with health and nutrition in various countries in 1979, it is possible to make several revealing comparisons: the per capita consumption of cal- ories per day in Haiti was 1,700, in Guatemala 1,988, in Peru 2,350, in Venezuela 2,388, and in Cuba 2,727. The per capita consumption of graqlmes of protein per day in Haiti was 41, in Guatemala 52.7, in Venezuela 62.6, in Peru 64, and.iJl Cuba 70.1. 380. The results of our efforts are also reflected in the data pertaining to public health where, in spite of the United States blockade which includes medicine, and in spite of the United States-organized mass exodus of doc- tors; Cuba has the highest health standards in Latin Amer- ica. Infant mortality per 1,000 children born alive was as follows: in Paraguay 94.3, in Guatemala 80.7, in Peru 72.4, in Chile 63.3, in Vene:::uela 43.7, and in Cuba 19.3. The figures from 1976 for the percentage of deaths due to parasitic and infectious diseases were: in Guatemala 62.5 per cent of all deaths, in Peru 54.2 per cent, in Honduras 44.5 per cent, in El Salvador 38.6 per 'cent, in Venezuela 24.6 per cent, in Chile 24.5 per cent and in Cuba 2.1 per cent. 381. These are the facts, although in the last analysis we cQuld{epeat to the Uni'ed States two proverbs of 801- omon: "Better is a little with righteousness Than great revenues without right." "He that walks in integrity, walks in security, but he who perverts his ways will be found out." 382. With regard to the growls of the mastiff of the dean of the' petty tyrants in Latin America, the stale, moth-eaten puppet on the imperialists' altar-piece, the host and mortician of his colleague Somoza, we assure you that we have never been nor will we ever be inter- ested in being recognized by it. The day will come when we will shake the hands of the true representatives of the Paraguayan people. 383. Finally, we would like to say that the philologists have indicated several possible origins of the word "Cuba". Am'1ng other theories, it appears that in the Guarao langpage spoken by tribes in Venezuela, the word C~ba means to shoot aod hit the target Apparently the reactions of some delegations to our statement before this General Assembly proves that the Venezuelan guajiros are right: our words hit the target.

In exercising its right of reply, the delegation.of the Islamic Republic of Iran rejects categorically the false allegations made in this Assembly by the Foreign Minister of Iraq on 25 Septem- be~ 1981 [l4th meeting] and wishes to clarify certain 385. Regardless of Iraqi allegations, it remains a fact that on 22 September 1980 it was Iraq that began its war of aggression by disregarding the territorial integrity of Iran despite the boundary treaty between the two coun- tries, signed in 1975 by the same people who rule Iraq today, and by trying to impose an unacceptable solution upon Iran in clear contradiction of the principle of non- use of force in international relations. The facts are so clear that even the kimf'"()f newspapers that Mr. Hammadi appears to favour so much and quotes so often have re- peatedly given Iraq the title of "aggressor", which is the least it deserves. How can one believe that a country ac- cused of aggressive intentions would void its defence agreements, cut its military budget, reduce the duration of its military service and cancel all of its weapon procure- ment agreements? Any military analyst can testify that, contrary to Iraqi allegations that Iran started the hostili- ties, the Iranian armed forces were taken by surprise by the unexpeted Iraqi attacks, which accounts for the rapid penetration of Iraqi forces into Iran in the first week of the war. 386. In fact, the Iraqi invasion of Iran at that delicate moment signifies more than the sheer opportunism of the Baghdad regime. It is not hard to see who would be served by a military action taken against Iran's newly es- tablished revolution that has rid the country from the clutches of American imperialism. 387. What better proof of Iraqi collaboration with United States imperialism thf.n the agreement that took place behind the scene between Mr. Hammadi and the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to prevent the Security Council from tak- ing punitive measures against Israel for its attack on the Iraqi nuclear facilities? 388. Despite the heated statements of the leaders of the Iraqi regime, this self-professed forerunner of the anti- Zionist movement not only has failed to take a single se- rious step against Israel but also has declined to respond to Israeli military aggression on its own capital. Yet for the past year Iraq has concentrated its war effort on the destruction of residential areas in Iran and the massacre of civilians through the intensive and indiscrimiii.llte use of long-range artillery and surface-to-surface missiks. If our martyred civilians cannot speak of this grave brut?:;:" ,Jur ravaged cities, our occupied land, and 2.5 million refu- gees do. 389. As to the allegation made by Mr. Hammadi on the propaganda campaign raised on the issue of Israeli mili- tary assistance to Iran, which he bases on statements of arch-enemies of the Iranian revolution in the United States and elsewhere, it is sufficient for my delegation to quote the representative of the PLO in Teheran on the issue: "This is part of a widt.•. read conspiracy designed by im- 391. Moreover, Iraq accuses the Iranian revolution, which stresses Islamic unity regardless of race, of being a racist movement, while the introduction of the argument that Iraq is fighting an Arab war against Persians is in itself a futile attempt to inject racism into a non-racial conflict. It is precisely for this reason that .Iraq and zion- ism have taken on a .common racist character. 392. Now that the Iranian nation, which follows the principles of Islam, has, to the surprise of all military analysts, rendered Iraqi militarism impotent, the Iraqi re- gime must be aware that military adventurism will not lead to a truly honourable peace. Iran has always w;m~ed peace, but we do not accept a peace process that equates the aggressor with the victim. Any effort ~owards peace can be fruitful only after complete Iraqi withdrawal from Iranian territory. Until such a condition is fulfilled, the Iranian people will continue their just war of liberation with the same determination they have demonstrated so far.

It is not my intention to reply to the representative of Laos, who is merely his master's voice. Indeed, he has lost all his national soul since his country, unfortun~tely, has been a Vietnamese province since 1977. 394. This mormng [l5th meeting] the Foreign Minister of India ventured to take up the question of Kampuchea, as a moralizer and a det~~nder of the people of Kam- puchea and of the prii.ciples of the Charter Qf the United Nations and of non-alignment. 395. First, my delegation can only regret ibis aligned manner in which India analysed the problem of Kam- puchea and the way it tried to appear in a favourable light. Indeed, everyone knows that the Government of New Delhi is pleading a lost cause, a cause which has been condemned by the United Nations and the non- aligned movement· itself. While the United Nations, faith- ful to the principles of the Charter, continues to condemn the Vietnamese war of aggression and to repudiate the Vietnamese regime installed in Phnom P~nh as well as the treacherous manoeuvres by the Vietnamese expansionists to legalize their inv33ion and occupation of Kampuchea by more than 250,000 Vietnamese soldiers, India alone among the founding members of the non-aligned move- ment has sided with the Vietnamese expansionists and is supporting their 'policy of aggression directed against the countries of.South-East Asia. That is why b\<.1ia finds it- self singularly isolated in the community of'Asian na- tions. 397. It is true that this is merely a pro forma statement, to give its author the semblance of non-alignment. 398. Finally, my delegation considers that, as regards interference and intervention by foreign Powers in the re- gion, the Indian Government, by supporting the cause of the Vietnamese expansionists, has given a brilliant exam- ple of such interference and intervention.

The representative of Iran, in speaking in exercise of his right of reply, sought to tell the General Assembly that my Foreign Ministe~s state- ment was based on fiction and that it bears no relation to the facts. He has attempted to convince the Assembly by means of argument. Allow me to cite one or two in- stances of this in order to see whose ideas are based on fiction. 400. We were told that Iraq has a propaganda machine which is generating propaganda about the military collab- oration between Iran and }" lel and that that propaganda is being disseminated by the arch-enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the United States and elsewhere. I wonder whether one could describe the former President of the so-called Islamic Republic of Iran as an arch-en- emy of the Islamic revcIution of Iran. For it was Mr. Bani-Sadr himself who admitted on Thursday, 20 August. 1981. on the progral'!'Jme "Nightline", on the American television network ABC, that there was such a collabora- tion, that he was aware of it and that he advised the rulers of Iran against it. Mr. Bani-Sadr said. and I quote part of his statement: "The strange thing was the purchase of arms from Is- rael, which shows that the mullahs' lust for power was very powerful. When I was President the issue was one of indirect purchase, and I opposed it. I said that if we had to purchase arms from the Israelis, why do we not make peace with the Iraqis? This is preferable by far." 40I. The evidence which was presented by my Foreign Minister to the General Assembly last Friday afternoon [14th meeting] is an impeccable record, and I h~rdly heard any refutation from the representative of Iran of the long list of items of evidence which we enumerated in document Al361518, on the military collaboration be- tween Iran and Israel. 402. The second point with which I should like to deal is that the representative of Iran accuses the Iraqi delega- tion of resorting to fiction in its statement before the Gen- eral Assembly. Now, I wonder whether the members of the Security Council would, on the basis of the facts. corroborate his statement that there was an Iraqi-US col- 403. ThirdlYt Iran talks of a striving for Islamic unity by the Islamic revolution in Iran. Everyone in this Hall and outside it-indeed all over the world-knows that the present rulers of Iran are at war with their own people. Wherd' is the unity that they are striving to forge in the Islamic worldt let alone inside Iran? 404. News about the military collaboration between Iran and Israel was leaked to the press and the other media in various nations. That news left no room for doubt about, the existence of co-operation in arms between Iran and the Zionist entity. On 2 November 1980t The Observer of London wrote about it. On 3 November 1980 the West German Die Welt referred to it. The periodical Al Watan Al Arabi, published in PMis on 5 November 1980t the French V.S.D. of 11 November 1980 and Jeune Afrique of 14 November 1980 all dealt extensively with the same collaboration. 405. On 31 March 1981 the Kuwaiti daily Al-Seyasah gave in an article the details of that collaboration. On 15 July 1981 the American t.elevision network ABC broad- cast about that collaboration. On 21 July 1981 the Israeli daily Ma'ariv wrote about it. 406. ([' 24 July 198. two Argentinian dailies, Cr6nica and La jkrensa wrote about the collaboration. The Sunday ,Times of London on 26 July 1981 revealed details of the Argentinian aircraft which crashed over Yerevan, the capi- tal of Soviet Armenia, an aircraft which was carrying shipments of arms between Tel Aviv and Teheran via Lar- naca in Cyprus. The Cypriot Government issued a public statement about those shipments. 407. Oil 27 July 1981 the French newspaper Le Figaro puL:Ln,~d details of the collaboration. I could go on and on..'~R! the details are in the document to which I have already referred. Yet we hear from a representative of the so-caUed Islamic Republic of Iran a charge that Iraq is talking abnut fictioJl. How reasonable can one be when one mrkes such a charge? 408. We are told about the "propaganda machine" of Mr. Saddam Hussain. What about the propaganda ma- chine of the so-called Islamic Republic of Iran, which continues to this very day to deceive internal and external public opinion about alleged noble causest which that Re- public hardly follows at all? 409. The representative of hall said that Iran had always wanted peace. What record attests to that? It has ubstructed every peace initiative embarked on by various missions of international organizations to this very day. On the contrary, Iraq's position on the armed conflict has been clear. We have co-operated positively in all those peace initiatives, and we shall continue to co-operate in order to achieve an honourablet lasting peace settlement, which enshrines and recognizes the legitimate rights of both parties and creates conditions conducive to the estab- lishment of normal relations between the two count;es.

The representative of Iran has asked for the floor for the

1 recall what I said again and again at the thirty-fifth session of the Assembly [33rd meeting] to a representative of Iran when he talked hog- wash. I reminded him of what H. G. Wells said in his story "The Country of the Blind": "In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king." I had expected the pres- ent representative of Iran, whom 1 have now seen for the first time, to come to the General Assembly with one eye, but it seems that he has come completely blind- folded. 413. I shall not try to teach the representative of Iran what aggression means, because his own Foreign Minister admits that Iran does not believe in legal concep~s worked out by the international comglUnity. The representative of Iran does not even sense the legal fact that a stat,ement or alleged statement-I do not know whether there was such a statement-by the representative of the PLO has no bearing on the question of the representation of Iran as a State in the international arena. As against that statementt we relied on the statement of the former President of the so-called Islamic Republic of Iran, the statement of as Head of State, who in international law represents a State in international relations. 414. The representative of Iran has left the Hall. He does not want to learn. He does not want even to be part of the whole process of the peaceful settlement of dis- putes prt.>vided for in the Charter of the United Nationst which prohibits aggression and enshrines the inherent right of every Member State to self-defence, as in ordi- nary international law. NarES 1 See OjJicial Records of the Security Coullcil. Thirty-fifth Year, Sup- plement for July, August and September 1980, document S/14100, an- nex. 4 See Report of the Interna;ional Conference on Kampuchea (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.I.20), annex I. S See Report ofthe United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.81.I.24), chap. I, sect. A. IU See A/S-11/14, annex I.